It's January 3, 2007 and

1. I am nearing the end of my book. It really feels like that final sprint that you go into at the end of a race, which I've only heard other people talk about. I have just under 30,000 words/126 pages. My original goal was to be done by the end of 2006. My new goal is to be done by the time I go back to teaching, which is Tuesday, six days away. I'll let everyone know when it's done--don't worry.

2. In the meantime, I can't get enough of the America's Next Top Model mega-marathon on VH1, which I shamelessly subject Nathan and Abigail to. I won't let it keep me from working on my book, but I do have to leave the house so that I can really focus. But I usually do that to write, not just when America's Next Top Model is on.

3. Since we got back to Austin after Christmas, I've been working out like crazy, going back to my routine of exercising five days a week, taking off Mondays and Fridays. I've been alternating aerobic workouts with weight training, and hope that soon I will be able to wear the cute clothes hiding in the back of my closet.

4. Tomorrow night is the Ladies of the '80s Sing-Along at the Alamo Drafthouse, which I am SO excited about. It looks like it will be myself, Stace and Jennifer, along with many other 80s-music loving strangers who will seriously feel like our friends by the end of the evening. Based on how much fun I had at the Little Mermaid Sing-Along, it promises to be a great time.