The struggle of writing and weather

Love is in the air, can you smell it? I can’t; my nose is plugged. 

My roommates and I had our own Galentine’s Day last weekend. Galentine’s Day is Valentine’s Day for the girls, or “celebrating women friendships” according to the internet. Basically an excuse for the gal pals to get together, drink wine, gossip and talk about our lives without the intrusion of men (no offense to the men who might be reading this). It’s like the phrase “Saturday is for the boys,” but Galentine’s is for the girls. 

My roommates and I got paint by number pictures, poured ourselves some wine, and went to work huddled together in the living room. For a couple of hours we just sat there in each other’s company, bent over our canvases, and talked about life. It was great. We talked about our parents, siblings, boyfriends, careers. The three of us with boyfriends also lightly interrogated the one roommate without one, asking her why she still is seeing the guy who doesn’t give her the time of day. When he doesn’t text you for a week honey, don’t bother. If he wanted to, he would. 

I still don’t fully understand Valentine’s Day. I feel it has been made commercial like Halloween. Different companies try to sell you so many things. At a Walmart yesterday, I saw a giant pink, glittery baking display complete with sprinkles, frosting, cookie mix and heart shaped everything. I wasn’t a big fan, although I admit I did cave and buy a box of brownie batter that came with a heart cutter so that you could have heart-shaped brownies. It was too cute and simple to pass up. 

This week I am going to the Minneapolis Institute of Art’s Institute of Hearts, where you’re given a paper heart to place at whatever piece of art you like the most. It sounds like corny fun, and offers a subtle wink at Valentine’s. Besides,  my friend was able to write about it for a story, so it worked out that we could go. 

I am also going to class this week because I guess when it gets to a feel of -21 degrees, they don’t feel the need to cancel class for those of us who have to walk 20 minutes in the cold. But it’s okay, I probably should go anyway and actually get work done. It may be the only time I am genuinely productive; when it comes to homework I struggle to get myself to sit down and write a 200 word profile about myself (thanks capstone class). I’m proud to say I have been going to the gym consistently (finally) and I have even gotten into new adventures in baking and cooking. I tried a healthy baked ziti last week, and excuse me tooting my own horn, but it was pretty darn good. And then for the Superbowl, I made chocolate cookies with a fun, new recipe. 

Speaking of the Superbowl, I’m kind of glad the Chiefs lost, although I’m not necessarily a huge Eagles fan either. One of my friends is though, and we went to his apartment to watch the game. That made me an honorary Eagles fan for the night, as I mostly just did work instead of watching the game. 

But it’s been a good time, and I hope everyone else is surviving the weather and making it through February–for those who didn’t migrate down south for the winter. 

My Determination: “And happiness is always louder than sadness.” ― Deborah Harkness, A Discovery of Witches