Test-Taker Turns Triathlete

It's exam week.

That's right. All those Instragram photos of Brooklyn and me at cafés, pouring over textbooks, were all leading up to this week.

etc., etc.

As you may have surmised, reading is my go-to stress-reliever. I'm currently reading The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (if you've seen the movie, please don't spoil the ending for me!), which is not exactly the type of book you can blow through without consequence. It's heavy stuff. Good, but weighty.

In an attempt to relax before my big entrance exams this week, I took up an old hobby.

Until this week, I haven't had free access to the school gym. All summer I've had my eye on the indoor lap pool, though! This week, that dream was realized.

The SMU gym: where dreams come true.
(You think I'm kidding, but it resembles a WDW Resort.)

I'm not a great swimmer. During my sprint triathlon, it was my weakest event. But as a stress-reliever? It's perfect. I miss being able to jump in my parents' pool with Brooklyn after a neighborhood run!

Swimming is also a great way to relax arms and shoulders after long hours of practice. This week I made it to the pool three times. I am shooting for once a week during the semester. Nothing like a dip in the pool as a reward for a week of hard work.

I couldn't bring myself to photograph the whole get-up. It's quite nerdy-looking (in case you couldn't tell).

And yes, that's a fish on my head. Relic of my triathlon days.

Just because the gym opened doesn't mean I gave up my old favorites! Quite the contrary! After a long day of work and studying, Ty and I love to head to the lake trail! I also couldn't wait to get on my bike because (drum roll, please!)........my bike shorts arrived in the mail!

In all honesty, they are actually triathlon shorts. All that means is that there is a bit less padding, making them suitable for swimming! Oh yes, I had the foresight to figure that one out. I didn't have the foresight to realize how often I'd need to do laundry.

They are also suitable for running in the rain, when it's too slippery to ride.

I also took Brooklyn for a run on campus this week. During my undergraduate degrees, I never left my tiny corner of campus and remained ignorant of the whereabout of most everything. This time, I am determined to be more aware and informed. Of course, it helps that I've downsized from the second-largest university in the country.

The loop around the outside of campus was right around 1.3 miles. What I didn't realize until we arrived is that is was undergraduate move-in day. Lots of distractions, and lots of training opportunities with my girl! And lots of fun people-watching opportunities, too!

Getting out and burning some energy always helps take the edge off...for both of us.

Study, study, study!

And pose!

I am happy to say that I passed both the Music Theory and Music History entrance exams! How thankful I am for the Lord's provision and strength. Now it's on to orientations and meetings through the weekend. And on Monday, it all begins for real. I still can't believe this is happening!