A perfect weekend in Bay City

I had to get creative this weekend. Erin drove the long, two-and-a-half hours trip from Hillsdale to Bay City, and she deserved a fun weekend.

So on Friday night, We went to a local art gallery around the corner from my apartment for a night of pottery painting. The gallery has a Friday night date night special, and allows you to bring in a bottle of wine to enjoy while painting, which makes it all the more better. You get to pick out a piece of pottery from hundreds of choices, including coffee cups, goblets, plates, frogs, cats, ribbons, etc. Anything you can think of that would be fun to paint, heat and glaze — they probably have it. After a week, you can pick up your piece in its ceramic beauty.

Erin painted a plate and I painted a coffee mug. Hers looks very classy. Mine is elementary-art-class-esque. It reminded me of fourth grade art class when I painted a clay pizza that was designed to hang off a book shelf. I think my mom still has that art project. I'm looking forward to picking up our works of art this week!

Saturday was a very relaxing day that started with one of Erin's workouts. That proved two things to me: One) My girlfriend is in incredible shape and is going to have a great cross country season, and 2) I am in no shape at all.

I struggled to finish the first mile of a two-mile warm up. I ran a 200-200 in-and-out (I think that's what it's called) with Erin and stopped, then she did it seven more times. I joined in the fourth one and then the last one. I need to start doing something because I was really, really tired.

For the rest of the Saturday, we relaxed in my apartment. It was chilly, and rained during the day a little bit. Erin and I had a little adventure in the afternoon, which will remain between me and her for the time being.

As always, it's really sad when someone you care about so much as to leave after a perfect weekend. But what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. I'm pretty optimistic, maybe I put too much silver-lining into situations, but you have to be in a long-distance relationship.

Now it's time for another week of work. I have a full schedule this week — the news never stops!