Still Alive!

When I was living/working in Germany during the 2009-2010 school year, I was the queen of to do lists. I think I literally made an itemized to do list every single day and relished the moment when I could cross the items off in permanent black Sharpie. Despite being über busy this past school year in Portland, the proverbial to do list somehow dropped off my radar. I remember drastically increasing the size of my to do list paper during fall term, going from a 5 X 5 inch lined Post It, to a full piece of 81/2 X 11 inch notebook paper. During class I wrote down the long list of assignments that I needed to complete over the weekend and somehow I managed to get everything done as needed. As I moved into winter term and then spring term however; for some reason I stopped making those lists.

It wasn't that my workload had decreased; in fact I think it was an all time high at the end of the school year (or at least my stress level was). I guess I was just too busy and flying a little bit too much by the seat of my pants to really focus on creating a list of everything I needed to get done.

Since arriving in Germany on Sunday I have been completely and gloriously unproductive. Yesterday I slept until 2:30 pm. Yep, that's right.... two-thirty. Due to the teeny tiny 9 hour time difference between Portland and Germany, it is a bit difficult adjust and it definitely takes a few days, but I slept almost the entire flight here (thank you Ambien!) and I took a nap on Sunday, and I went to bed at a normal time with Mr. Sneaker and slept the entire night. There really was no good reason to sleep half the day away, yet it just kind of happened. Sadly, I don't really have much to make me jump out of bed in the morning. Once Mr. Sneaker goes off to work to do sporty things, I am left to chill sans company in my little German apartment.

Yes, there is a lot of organizing that has to be done as a result of hubs living on his own for 10 months.

Yes, I have lots to read and write for my next very big paper.

Yes, I have ample free time to work out, go for long walks, and get in the best ever shape.

Yet, I have found myself doing a whole lot of nothing.

Don't get me wrong, I deserve it.

After busting my butt all year doing full time school and a full time job with five year olds, I think a lot of relaxing is definitely in order.

The problem is, I think I thrive being busy.

Is that sick?

I just think I do better when I have a lot going on and I have a regular schedule.

It just works for me.

Sure I complain when I am super busy that I would give anything to just sit around and read, and drink coffee, and sleep late. I love to do that.

But, at the same time, there is a certain emptiness in not having an important agenda.

So, it is back to the to do lists I go....

Even if my to do list consists of things like...

• grocery shop
• workout
• read article and take notes
• do laundry

at least I will feel a little sense of accomplishment in crossing out each of those seemingly unimportant items. I need to get a little routine back in my life...soon!

I had visions of spending at least 2 hours daily reading and writing for my next paper and that has not happened at all. Not to mention, I decided that moving back to Germany where Cola Light (which is just not the same) replaces Diet Coke, that it would be the perfect time to stop drinking soda. And I threw in coffee as well so I am having some pretty bad withdrawal headaches. I know I am way too hard on myself for being lazy for all of two days, but after a year like I just had inactivity seems like a horrible waste of time. I have to work out a happy medium so that I get time to relax, but also get in some good work time so I feel productive on the paper writing front.

I will try to be a better blogger and post more frequently. Last week went by so fast and before I knew it, I was on a plane on the way back to Mr. Sneaker who is still very cute I might add :0)

Stay tuned for more European adventures!