Tuesday Toss Up

Gah.  The road to hell is paved with good intentions, right?  I think my diet may have become worse in the past week.  As I type this, I can actually feel my belly growing and making my pants tighter.  WAIT - maybe my pants are just shrinking as I sit here.  That could be it, right?

I know this downtime is important mentally and physically, but I know KNOW I need to get back at it ASAP. I feel better in all areas of my life when I'm in a regimented training schedule.  Even knowing that deep inside, why is it so hard to get back and up on the wagon?

Anyway - a few random thoughts for this Tuesday.

1) I got an iPhone!  yay yay!  It's not the super fancy new one, but it sure is a lot freaking cooler than my old crappy Droid Eris.  My iPhone is my newest bestest friend.

2) Speaking of friends - this is the start of Year 3 for me in the great state of Ohio.  Making friends is tough.  In NC, I think it honestly took me about six or seven years to feel really established in my friendships.  A lot happened during those times where I went through different phases with different people, but I had three or four very solid friendships and countless other "looser" friendships that I still treasure to this day.  Those were friendships that were very hard to leave behind.  Fast forward to today, and things have changed a lot. Distance is tough on a bond between anyone - time and space.  I've really started feeling the toll of that distance here lately.  Because of the fact I make no money (really, NO money), I can't travel to see friends or family.  Last year I was able to get in trips to Chicago and DC based on some good cheap travel planning, but this year nothing.  I haven't even been home to Texas to visit my own family in almost two years due to the cost involved.  It's all starting to take a toll on my relationships and my sanity.

With that being said, it has me in somewhat of a funk.

BUT I am very happy to say that I am in the early stages of some great, rich, and wonderful friendships here in Ohio.  There's always that silly little nagging doubt though - "Do they like me?  Do they really like me?"  Finding friends is somewhat like dating, isn't it?

3) I am hitting my stride teaching my SPINNING classes.  I am so glad I got certified to teach.  The evenings I teach are probably the most fun I have all week.

4) I wish teaching paid mad cash.  It does not.  Mizz Duffy had a great post this week about pre-planning the expenses for the 2012 season.  I did that exact same thing last year.  This year, I am afraid to even think about it.  Right now I have huge aspirations and no funds to back it up.  Something has to change - and fast. I can't keep going like this. I need a new bike.  I need cash for race fees.  And to me, these are things I do feel like I NEED, not  just "want" - that speaks a lot to me and the passion I feel about the sport.  Le sigh - what to do. What to do.

To wrap up, what do you do to keep your long distance friendships alive?  Any tips?  Tricks?