In a word, today has been long. Every Wednesday this semester is going to be my longest day during the week. Between it being “leg and abs day”, Tuba Ensemble Rehearsal at 4:30, 3 classes, one of which is a lab, it gets to be relatively difficult for me to find time to myself. This becomes increasingly difficult with the fact that I gave myself the goal of studying 4 hours a day. So, any free time I’ve had today has been put towards mentally preparing myself for the next step of my day, getting food, or studying some more.

In spite of everything going on, I can firmly say that today was a good day. I woke up at a reasonable hour, got to class on time, and impressed my professor with the credentials of my previous education, all within 2 hours of being awake. It was after that point that I finally got breakfast.

Einstein Bros. Delicious Bagels

Out of all the places on campus that I could get breakfast at, my all-time favorite has got to be Einstein Bros. Bagels in the Library. I somehow always get the perfect boost of energy I need from whatever bagel I order, be it Asiago, Honey Whole Wheat, 6 Cheese, Plain, Everything, the list goes on. Not only that, but they have the best brewed coffee on campus. Sorry Starbucks, you take a back seat this time. Today I treated myself to a delicacy of one Asiago Bagel with Honey Almond Cream Cheese, toasted of course, and their medium roast breakfast blend coffee. All it takes is a splash of milk, a dash of honey, and a bit of sweetener, and every time I get the perfect coffee for my early morning rush.

Their menu for meal exchanges is the most extensive on campus, offering the perfect combination for any student, from Bagel & Shmear (or spread) to a Pizza Bagel. Throughout last semester I got my best work done at the library, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t get the best meals at Einstein Bros. Bagels.

Finally, a Lab

When I walked into the Engineering Systems Building, I did not expect my Intro to Engineering Technology Studio/Lab to be located in the same exact room I took a class in during my time in B.L.A.S.T. almost 6 years ago! I was pleasantly surprised, as I still knew my way around the lab. The class size was relatively small, no more than 10-12 students, and the professor, Dr. Haddock, is the most energetic professor I’ve had since my time with Dr. Goff back in the Chesapeake Bay Governor’s School. Right off the bat I knew I’m going to enjoy this class, the professor is fun and engaging, the material we are going to cover is interesting, and finally, FINALLY, I get my first lab class.

Let’s Pull Some Muscles

As the day was drawing to a close, I realized that I had not yet gone to the gym, and was in danger of violating the promise I made myself weeks ago, that I would keep a consistent workout schedule. Thankfully, around 9 PM I finally got out of the dorm room, all homework done, and made my way to the Student Recreational Center to get in a solid workout.

People always say that leg days are the worst. I disagree, a leg day-ab day hybrid is the worst. Starting off with a 10 minute run at 6 miles an hour with a 12 mile an hour 30 second push at the end was a classic way I used to start my workouts, though it was probably a bad idea. It may have warmed my legs up, but it took a toll on my core and cardiovascular system. Nevertheless I made my way immediately to the Hip Abductor and Hip Adductor machines to start my strength training. I don’t know how good pushing over 200 lbs. is on the Hip Abductor, but that was my max that I tested after I had finished my 3rd set. I like to think that’s pretty strong, and I intend to raise that number in the coming months.

Moving directly onto the squat rack with no rest time may have been my worst mistake. After one set of squats I felt a sharp pain in my hamstrings, and I knew I had gassed my legs and would not be squatting anymore that night. Thankfully, I still had another muscle group to train, and I spent the second half hour of my workout trying my best to destroy my abs as I did my legs so that it would be equal in pain tomorrow. I hate it when I feel more pain in one muscle group than another when I worked them both the same. In the end I made it back to my room in one piece, granted my legs feel like they want to fall off, but I feel like I’ll sleep good tonight.

Yeah, Wednesdays are going to be long, but the longer they are the better I sleep.