dream of ways to throw it all away.

Ask any Hawkeye and they'll tell you that it gives them goosebumps every time Herky sticks the flag in the turf. I don't expect you to understand, but it's kind of a big deal. And our flags with the letters I-O-W-A... bring me to tears every time.

I had my pick of schools but the only place I wanted to be was Iowa. I moved to Iowa City exactly eight years ago and I'm thrilled to have had the opportunity to spend the beginning of my adult life here. Everything about this place makes me happy (mostly). And the University has been good to me.

I'm officially not a student anymore. It's been a tad bit shocking, but I'll adjust. I'm ashamed to say that in all my years here, I have never taken advantage of the multiple gyms on campus (with the exception of the fitness classes I took a few years back). I recently discovered that I could get a summer-only membership at a discounted rate through my boyfriend (since he's still a registered student) and I jumped at the chance. As of 9:45pm today, I am a card carrying gym member (well... I don't have my card yet)!

My bosses let me exercise at work (in the fitness room that's usually reserved for hotel guests only) and it was a wonderful way to get started, but I needed a change. Boyfriend invited me to workout with him at the campus gym by our apartment and I jumped at the chance... and now I'm hooked. I do my thing on the treadmill, then the elliptical, and then I jog home.

As I was sauntering my skinny little ass home on my way back from the gym today, I was thinking, "Damn, what a great life."

What a great life indeed.