Boat cruise, achy legs, and my guy

On Thursday, my entire team went out for an departmental outing. We did a boat cruise along Lake Ontario. It was relaxing and great.

I spent the rest of the day by the waterfront before I met up with a former student, who is now a friend, for dinner. It was wonderful catching up and chatting for over three hours.

I did overdo the walking part. Right now, my legs are tired and a bit achy.

I get to see my guy on Saturday. I can't wait!

Opening my 2011 time capsule and reflecting on my life then

I am on vacation till mid-week next week. It has been nice to sleep in and not deal with work-related issues.

I have been cleaning up around the house. I opened a box with tons of magazines and photos. It felt like I was opening a time capsule of sorts.

Most of the items in this box are from 2011. This particular year is significant for a number of reasons:

• I went on a cruise in February and decided to change my eating habits, which led to my losing sixty pounds. I have kept it off ever since.
• I injured my back in August, which required back surgery in late October.
• My guy dropped hints that he liked me in September. We started dating in mid-October.

This box contained a few articles of clothing that are now way too big on me. I washed them last night and am ready to donate them.

I also found a number of magazines that I had subscribed to back then. Within recent years, I decided to cancel all my subscriptions, as they were a complete waste of paper. Many of these magazines were still in their own plastic wrap, in pristine condition.

It has been nice to read each issue. I have been reading a lot lately. I have missed reading for pleasure rather than for work.

Before my guy and I dated, he had visited India on a business trip and gave me a letter opener made of teak. It was also in this box.

On my cruise, I looked at a photo of me posing, barely on the ship for more than thirty minutes. I was at my heaviest weight. I looked happy in the photo, but I wasn't.

2011 was a whole bag of mixed emotions. It ended nicely, with a sweet guy who wanted to be with me at my worst state.

He has stuck by me ever since. I have supported him with challenges that were tossed at him. We make a good support couple, among other things.