Here’s my boring monthly goals post (boring to you, probably, not as much to me as each new month brings new HOPE.)

Monthly Goals:

Books: one classic, one related to teaching violin or children, one non-fiction.  Great Expectations, The Social Animal, and Moonwalking with Einstein

One or more new restaurants:

Weekly activities with friends:  Anybody up for stuff?  You have my number.  Or at least my blog address.

New recipes (three):

Fitness Classes:  Yoga—let’s do it, two classes! And maybe spinning…I guess I got bored with my class…

Race:  April 9 Go! St Louis Half Marathon.  Goal:  2:30 or bust. 

Mileage:  90 miles (run or walk)

Lose a couple of pounds:  under *redacted* by April 30 or bust. (I do have a number in mind, and this month I will meet or beat it).

Career: Schedule Student Recital for Early June.  Plus some other stuff that will happen in April.  You’re on a need to know basis.

Fun: Who wants to go to the South Grand House Tour April 16/17?  Also, I’m open to other social engagements, hit me up!

Financial: Well…I did MY taxes.  But I promised Chris I’d do his, so that’s this month.

Fingernails/finger biting: Must continue trying to stop…gah, so difficult as I usually don’t notice I’m biting until it’s already been going on for a little while. 

March…

Overall a good month.  Two solid races.  Some great teaching, good times with friends and FIANCEE.  Weather was up and down.  Did lots of great reading…cooking…eating…how did my goals go?

Monthly Goals:

Books: one classic, one related to teaching violin or children, one non-fiction.  Sense and Sensibility, Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, and The Warmth of Other Suns. CHECK!  Finished all by March 16–

One or more new restaurants: Trattoria Marcella (just had drinks/apps, but definitely want to go back for dinner), California Pizza Kitchen, The King and I (yummy Pad Thai!), The Highlander (there can be only one), Market Pub House CHECK!

Weekly activities with friends:  Too many to list here! CHECK!

New recipes (three): Goat Cheese and Artichoke Stuffed Chicken, Goat Cheese Grits, Shrimp n’ Grits CHECK!

Continue attending Spinning Class, do some Yoga–shoot for at least two classes.  Went to one spinning class, couldn’t go to another…and then was too tired… FAIL.

Two races:  March 12 St. Patrick’s Day 5 miler and March 26 Alton half marathon CHECK!  Plus I ran (some walking) 100 Miles this month—today I realized if I did 4.4 miles I would be at 100 for the month, so I couldn’t resist.

Get rid of 11 things from one room—I need to tackle the middle room and the book situation. Already did some of each, check!

Lose a couple of pounds (I have a goal weight in mind for the end of March but I’m not putting it here ) FAIL! but I already blogged about my failing…

Career: Attend SIUE teacher workshop with Susan Kempter.  Schedule Student Recital for Early June.  HALF/CHECK and plan to deal with recital shortly.  I’ve penciled in a date, just haven’t ‘set’ it.

Fun: Have friends over this month?  CHECK

Financial: TAXES this month CHECK

Fingernails/finger biting: Must continue trying to stop…gah, so difficult as I usually don’t notice I’m biting until it’s already been going on for a little while.  FAIL, but will keep trying..

It’s been over a month since we got engaged, so naturally people are asking about the date and such.  No, we haven’t set a date yet.  We are still waiting to find out a few things about next “season”  before we make any big decisions.  So I haven’t made any more wedding plans or anything, as until we decide on a date, we can’t choose a venue, and all the trappings that go with that.  It will happen in the next two months, and possibly sooner.  Also…(how to put this without seeming materialistic?)…we haven’t gotten any engagement gifts yet?  I assumed after announcing our engagement the gifts would start pouring in?  (We have received cards and many well-wishes, which is plenty, of course—I am kidding about the gifts!)

I am thinking I should enlist my cat as the flower girl or the ring bearer.  Has anybody done that?  How did it work out?

(Not my cat, but eerily similar…)

That’s “for the win”, if you didn’t know. 

I attended my first percussion recital tonight.

Tuesday March 22, 2011 7:30 PM Joint Recital with Peter Henderson, piano and Will James, percussion at Forest Park Community College – Mildred Bastian Center

I mentioned to my trainer I was planning to go to my friend’s percussion recital tonight and he said, oh cool!  Then he paused, and asked, what does that mean?

In plain language: It means that Peter played the piano and Will played a whole bunch of different xylophone type instruments and various drums.  And it was REALLY fantastic!  They even played some Piazzolla. 

Great job to Peter and Will!!

I can’t believe that one week ago it was was snowing, and today it is going to be almost 80 degrees. My legs are still tired from Saturday’s run (and yesterday I was RAVENOUS…hint to those reading: training for a half marathon and losing weight doesn’t actually work very well) and I’m tired from staying up too late to finish Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring last night (research for upcoming concert.) Oh well, another week is here and spring has sprung! I’ve got a full day of teaching ahead of me, and I’m looking forward to it.