The Week Away

After one week on my new work schedule, things have been fantastic.  It is so nice to actually get time away from the hospital and spend time in the world doing things I enjoy.  I feel like this week has been full of accomplishments, some larger than others.

1. I was able to spend time fishing, both fly fishing and ice fishing.  The weather has been wonderful this week with a few warm days to fly fish a few open streams followed by a few cold days to get out on the ice and fish a few hours with the guys.  I bought a new fly rod/reel combo this week.  It's just a beginner set but it will come in handy when in need of a second setup for a friend or my girlfriend on trips we are planning to do this summer. One can never beat a day of fishing.

Top: Scientific Angler Rod, SA Reel (green line)
Bottom: Cabela's Traditional II rod, Ross Reel Flystart (orange line)

2. With fishing comes knowledge.  The extra free time has allowed me to located new fishing areas and look for new possible locations in the future.  I have been able to follow the great MN DNR trout stream maps to locate nice areas to head out.  I have also spent a good amount of time tying new flies for the future.  Some should be okay for trout while others will work better for panfish and bass.  Hopefully this summer I will be able to get out to different lakes, rivers, and streams to fish more frequently as well as do some camping.

The first flies I have made.

Part of my mix of homemade flies.

These should be decent to try for bass.  I'm hoping to try a red one soon.

3. Because there was a drastic increase in the amount of free time this week I was able to dedicate a lot of time for creating lesson plans for my big unit plan assignment.  I have been able to get a strong outline for the unit as well as create the majority of the lesson plans and assessments.  It will be nice having a good portion of this completed now rather than doing the sprint finish like I have for most assignments thus far.

I thought this was clever.

4. With this free time I have been able to relax and spend time with my lovely girl and some friends from school.  Having the evenings off to actually go on dates or date like activities has been great and I cannot wait for a lifetime with this girl.  We stopped at the Red Bull Crashed Ice event in St Paul on Saturday evening.  It was pretty exciting and kind of a neat even although seeing the entire course was difficult.  Here is a neat photo I found online.

2012 has been rather eventful thus far and I don't expect deviation over the next 11 months.  A few major changes will be happening in my life and I cannot wait for them to start happening.  The next 6 months will be huge as they will be the months that really shape my future and determine how the rest of my life will look.