Today was a busy, but good day. It was busy even though I did not go to work. Mondays are always hit or miss when it comes to work. My boss is off on Mondays and we can never get anyone to open the door for us to hold the class. However, my motto is, "let no time be wasted." I use that free time from work to get in a little more exercise.

I have slowed down on my blogging. I guess I am either very settled, there isn't much going on, or my new workout regimen has taken over my life. I do know as I approach the final part of this journey I want to be more intentional about documenting the end. 

I was in the hall the other day and another inmate who has done several federal bids asked me when I was leaving. I responded and told her how many days I had left. Her reply to me, which is a common response when people either have a short sentence or when they only have a few days left, "You can do that on your head." I told her it seems like the end of my time is going by so slowly. Then she said something that really hit me. 

I woke up early this morning in order to see my work wife off. She finally left, after 21 months. She was so, so happy. She had a little pep in her step. I can't believe my Gayle is gone. I already miss the fact that I can't just pop up in her room for an impromptu deep-dive conversation. Our boss, well her former boss, came into the classroom later in the day and asked me why I had a sad look on my face. I told him that I missed my friend.

As the days roll by, it is becoming clearer that my time here is coming to an end. Although it was definitely not an experience that I desired when this all started, I am well aware that it is one that I needed. Throughout this process, I have been extremely selfish and focused on taking care of myself. For that, I am so grateful. 

Today, I had a very interesting conversation with someone in the rec (recreation) department after inquiring about whether or not we had or could order resistance bands. I was told that the prison was not allowed to purchase any type of equipment which would increase or build upper body strength. This is because they do not want inmates to get too big and become hard to handle should they need restraining.

This morning, while I was working out, I thought about something my old trainer told me. He said, "you aren't working out, you are training. There is a difference." I have readopted this mantra. I am not "working out" I am training for the next part of my journey. This mindset shift has dictated how I have moved all day.