Finally found a place called Home

Since we moved to Michigan about three months ago, finding a permanent residence was on our agenda. We are currently living in the apartment provided by the company and it is provided only up to three months. So before August we have to move to another place. We have been looking around houses and apartments equally, to rent. But both of us had this notion of living in a house than in an apartment now. I guess we are just done with student residence. So we decided that we will only look for houses and townhouses and see if we find something to our taste. Now, taste is a little challenging issue. V wanted a backyard and front yard possibly and I wanted to have a big kitchen with gas (now they don't come that easily), and of course 2 bathrooms. So we had to agree upon a common list of must haves in rental home. Another big issue was the location. V works in Ann Arbor and we currently live about 20 miles from AA. Initially, we thought we want to live outside of AA to get the feel of small community and countryside. But soon we realized that, almost every day after V comes back from work we end up going to AA. In this area, the most vibrant and fun city is AA. There is always something to do. And of course, budgeting for fuel cost was another important consideration that kind of pushed us towards AA.

Still, we did look for houses in other cities. It was exhausting. I would be in AA for the whole day as we still have one working car. Then , during lunch or after work both of us would visit the prospective house. Then, again I would endlessly look up on craigslist for new listings. The location and the price eventually became so specific that I thought we would have to give up on the idea of renting a house.

But last week, V found this really cute house in AA. The house is built in 60s and has two sections for two different renters. It has gas (check), a small back yard (check), three bed rooms, two full bathrooms (check), lot of storage and a kitchen pantry (yahoo additional). So everything we wanted and more. The house has character and it just feels like home. We would be moving there soon. Let's hope the new home will bring many good memories and lot of fun for us and everyone who visits!

Exercising my way to glory!

These days I have fallen back to my routine of working out every day and it feels great. I have always been a sports person, since my school days. But after being in US for six years, my exercise routine has gone hay-wards. Sometimes, I would follow rigorous routine the other times it just falls apart. But now, since we moved to Michigan I have decided to take the opportunity of free time at hand get back right on track, where I belong (pun intended!)

These days, I get up way early than I used to. I have morning tea, send V to work and then read news for some time. Then, I do some warm up at home and then I go to gym which is conveniently located in the current apartment complex. In Tempe, my good friends P showed me basic routines one can follow in a gym. Another good friend of mine who had lost about 20 pounds gave me some more tips to help increase stamina, such as running aerobic routines on trade mill. Following, their advice I work out for about one and half hour everyday. It included running, cycling, light weights and of course 20 minutes of yoga. While machines and weights help to build muscle yoga helps to keep my body light. I have lost flexibility over time which I am on my way to regain in coming months. My stamina seems to be getting better. When I come back from exercise I feel rejuvenated and happy. I am not behind any kind of weight reduction or fat burning per se. What I want to is to be fit and be energetic throughout the day. The exercise routine has also helped me to improve my sleeping habits. No more 1 o' clock in the night moves or eating at midnight. I sleep early and rise early and feel relaxed and fresh all the time.

I also read lot of health magazines and try to incorporate some of the exercises they suggest and some of the food routines. Of course, there is lot to improve. But one thing for sure, this routine makes me less susceptible to frustrations and crazy thoughts. I think about how I can improve my health and V's through better cooking and diet. Surely, I feel good about myself. I hope this will continue as I plan to take zumba classes once we are settled in our new place.

Until the zumba, gym is a great way to keep my mind and body sound.