W&M is a Petri-dish

If there was a major for getting sick in college, I would have finished that degree a long time ago.  And guess what!  I am sick again.  I have to have to worst immune system in the world.  Maybe I'm just a wimp when it comes to being sick?  I think it's just that time of the year; I know a handful of people that either have the flu or a cold, and you can tell by the amount of people coughing and blowing their nose in class-- ew!  I definitely skipped a good deal of class this week, specifically ones that don't take attendance.  My bad.  But I'm a senior, and if I'm sick, I'm not going to bust my butt waking up early, running all over campus, and feeling like crap.  I'm over it.

Aside from my cold/sinus infection/flu or whatever I have hurting my good attendance record, it has negatively affected my workouts!  I was doing so well too.  On Tuesday (the day I started feeling crummy) I worked out with my trainer, J.  He pretty much kicked my butt.  One of the things I love best about working out with a trainer is they target muscle groups that don't get worked running, or on the elliptical, the machines at the gym, etc.  At the W&M Rec, the trainers also sit down with you for a fitness assessment and cater your workouts to the goals you set for yourself.  This week, we started the "pyramid training system" where you do 3 sets, but 12 reps on the 1st set with a moderate/manageable, 10 reps on the 2nd set with a heavier weight, and 8 reps on the 3rd set with the heaviest weight that challenges you.  We also do most of our work outs in what I like to call "the testosterone section" of the Rec.  It's nice to have someone challenging you and telling you what to do, as the gym can be an intimidating place.  I really hope this sickness subsides by tomorrow because I really need to get a good 3 mile run in and would like to strength train too.  It sucks because I feel as though I probably picked up whatever germ that caused this at the Rec.  Sigh. What are your opinions of working with trainers?  Also, is it okay to work out with a cold?  I've heard no by some, and yes by others.

Aside from being sick and missing a few classes, I think the semester is starting well.  I've gone to my strict attendance classes diligently (so far).  I'm a little behind on reading, but that's no big deal.  Let's hope I get better by this weekend--I would like to get energy back to resume my workouts, and maybe even go out one night?!  I'll also end on the note that I'm trying to think up some creative Campus Golf themed costumes--do any of you W&M people who know what Campus Golf is have any ideas?

Day-tripping

I survived another long Thursday of classes.  Not fun.  I really don't know how I'm going to be able to handle it for the rest of the semester, because when I get home at 5:30 pm all I want to do is sleep for the next 3 hours, which is obviously not good.  Any advice on how I can make it through long days where I'm in class from 9:30 am to 5:20 pm without wanting to cry at the end of it?  I also am frustrated because my Intermediate Acting class is at the end of the day and it is 2.5 hours.  I honestly think I would enjoy this class if only I didn't have 4 straight hours of lecture before hand--by the time I get to Intermediate Acting I just want to take a nap, and I honestly zone out about half way through it.  I also feel like I might be getting sick.  My chest kind of feels weird when I try to breathe in really deep.  The parents both had flu/cold symptoms this past week, so I hope I didn't catch what they had.  Also campus is like a petri-dish so it's always possible I could have picked something up there.  Ugh.  I don't have time to be sick...guess it's time to load up on the emergen-c.

Yesterday, Adam and I went back to RVA and explored Carytown.  I had a doctor's appointment and he decided to tag along last-minute.  We went in a lot of the boutique shops, which I think are overpriced.  I wish I had the means to support local businesses, like the ones in Carytown!  While there, we stopped by sweetFrog, a frozen yogurt shop.  I had never been there before, but had heard good things about it.  Basically the concept is super simple...about 10 flavors of frozen yogurt on the wall in frozen yogurt machines, you get a cup, serve yourself, and then there's a toppings buffet with fresh fruit, candy, chocolate, etc.  I was really happy with the assortment of fresh fruit!  Then they weigh your yogurt, and at 39 cents/oz it's really cheap!  We ended up sharing a cup of New York cheesecake, blueberry, and white chocolate macademia nut with strawberry, mango, kiwi, and blueberry toppings.  It was less than $5.  It was so incredibly yummy!  It's also designed really trendy and clean; white plastic chairs and high-top tables, and pink and green decor.  They play really loud pop-music too, which I guess is either hit or miss.

Here's a picture of our healthy snack!

In Williamsburg, we have something similar, Berrybody.  (What is it with these yogurt shops and two-word names?) Berrybody is okay, but is way more expensive  and has less selection.  At Berrybody you only get to chose from 2 flavors, then you only get 3 toppings.  That will run about $5, and it's only half the size of the serving at sweetFrog.  So basically, sweetFrog is better.  Adam made the argument that sweetFrog can keep costs low because it is all self-service.  We will definitely be going back, especially when it gets warmer!

We dropped by to see the parents and steal some Chinese food they had ordered, and then headed back to Williamsburg.  It's been nice going to Richmond and actually exploring more places downtown, which I never did when I lived there.  It's not that bad of a city.