Okay, so yesterday I went to my favorite cafe in town and got to catch up with some of my girl friends from high school! Gosh how I miss them so much! It was so wonderful hearing how things are going and laugh so hard just because that's how we are. I also got some of the most amazing hummus! Yeah, I was happy! Then today, I got to go back to that awesome cafe and meet up with another friend and catch each other up on life with each other. I wish I could take that cafe with me, but still my friends wouldn't be there so really it still wouldn't work out very well! Still though, it was awesome!
Well tonight a bunch of friends went ice skating, which I'm normally not really down with, but I figured, why not!? So I bundled up and went to the ice rink. It's probably been about two years since I've gone ice skating, and I must say...not too bad! I didn't fall once! It was actually a lot of fun, but my ankles aren't too happy with me! It was worth it though! I usually just sit on the bleachers or stand by the rink, but not this time! I ended up ice skating for about two and a half hours! I got a work out in that's for sure! There were so many little kids trying to stay up and learn how to skate it was so cute! One of the little boys had a helmet with a face mask and all! I asked his dad how old he was, he was only 5, and it was his first time on the ice! They were so cute! There were actually a pretty good amount of people there, it was packed...well depending on where you were skating...you know how there always seems to be a huge clump of people that keep going around at the same speed. This meant I was weaving in and out of people which was so much fun! I was skating in between my friends, and under their arms too, it was awesome! I'm so glad I went! Over and out!
Lo
It's been a while since I've posted last, so I'll try and update this with a few things from the past couple days.
Monday - Christmas Day! So my parents and I were supposed to travel down to Indy to visit with some family, but that plan didn't take off because both my parents weren't feeling well. So for the day I hung around the house, watched a couple movies, played with Scruffy, etc. Nothing too exciting really.
Tuesday - Got up nice and early and drove to Chicago to pick Melissa up from the airport! Traffic actually wasn't too bad which was surprising, and very much appreciated! Once we got back we didn't really do much which was nice...then...I got a headache! So I decided to take this new migraine medicine and see if that works. Well about a half hour after I took it, it was a full blown migraine, no doubt about it. So I was laying in my room with my pillow on my head hoping the pain would leave me. Thankfully the pain finally subsided some, back to only a headache, but then I was dealing with side affects from the medication. Ugh! Anyway, so we'll see if this stuff actually works after a second try.
Wednesday - Bummed around the house for a while, but I did make breakfast! We ended up going out to the mall (bad idea...I think every high school kid was there!). No luck on finding a New Year's Eve top, so we'll see what I end up wearing....hmm. Back to my house to visit with a few friends, and then a baby shower! Next it was off to Hacienda where I got to see a bunch of my friends from high school! Some of them I hadn't seen since graduation! It was really great to catch up with each other and enjoy some amazing chips & salsa!
Today...is going to be a blast! More on that later!
Over and out.
Lo
Yes, that's right I got a new tattoo! I went to Marvel, where I got my first tattoo, about 5 years ago, and again, bravo...amazing job! If you are thinking about getting a tattoo, or a piercing, I highly suggest going to them! They're awesome! My tattoo artist was Larry, and he was awesome! He had Lindsay and I cracking up the whole time. (Lindsay, thanks for coming with me! It was really awesome to have you there taking pictures and making me laugh!)
So my tattoo is of my cousin's initial's in the shape of the ichthus fish. I came up with the design my self after sitting around and drawing at least a dozen different designs. I really like it! Larry asked me what the letters were for and he goes, "Jesus loves jokes!?" Good thinking, but not quite. He then asked Lindsay what she does, and so we actually were talking about church for a little bit while I was getting it done. Never thought that would ever happen! It was really cool though. He seemed like a really cool guy, and a great artist. Okay well that's really all for now, I might get some more pictures of it in a few days when it's not so puffy. So enjoy the photos! Over and out!
Lo!
Today was spent giving massages...many of them. First up was a very close friend of mine around 10 am, which also included some much needed catch up time. Next was a good friend around noon, also some catching up to do. Then a friend of mine came over around 2 pm for my next appointment, and you guessed it, catching up! I had a little bit of a break in between this massage and the last one, so I went to the gym to work out, but only briefly. I only ran a little over a mile and a half, partly because of time, but also because my knee was giving me some trouble. After working out, and showering, it was time for the last massage appointment of the day. I ended up giving a 2 hour massage because the two of us were talking (big surprise!) and I really needed to work out some terrible knots. From all the feedback that I've heard, everyone has said good things, so that's great! By this time I was pretty exhausted but wanted to go and hang out with my friends because I really don't get to do this very often at all. So it was over to a friends house to chat a bit, play some 9 ball, and pool in general, and watch most of Romeo & Juliet. By the time I left it was around 2:45 in the morning! I haven't stayed up this late in a long time! Over and out.
It's been a few days since I've posted last so I'll do my best to recap the past few days....
Monday: Practical mid-term...from what I could tell, I did fine, but I won't get the grade until I go back to class after break. After class I went to work out, showered, then hit the road. I decided around 8:45 Sunday night that being that I was already packed and really didn't have much of a reason (yes, I know school is a reason to stay, but I knew we weren't doing much the two days that I would be missing) to stay in the area. So from about 2pm (central time) until about 2am (eastern time). After I got home I really couldn't sleep so I stayed up for 3 hours moving a few things around in my room, and trying to fall asleep.
Tuesday: This was too much fun. I called up Lindsay and asked her how her day was going, how she was doing etc., leading her on to think that I was still in KC. I then walked in her office and got a great reaction. She literally screamed! I wish I had a camera to capture her reaction, it was amazing! Yes, it was so awesome! Oh how fun it is to surprise people! I then drove up to East Lansing to visit with a friend whom I hadn't seen in over a year. After many hours up there and lots of catching up, it was time to hit the road again and head home.
Wednesday: I went in to work to see a bunch of people after the weekly staff meeting. It was so wonderful to see so many of the awesome people that I used to work with. Then it was over to Elkhart to see another friend for a little bit, which was so great! Then I decided that I would try and get a work out in, and ran a 5k, but my knee was still bothering me, so it might be back to the bike for a little bit. Then a friend of mine came over to get a massage and hang out for a little bit. Next it was over to Hacienda for the most amazing chips & salsa, plus the company wasn't bad either!
Thursday: A friend (sort of like a mom to me) came over for a massage, and to catch up on what's been going on the past few months. A couple hours later another friend of mine (also like a mom to me) came over to catch up...but this time there wasn't enough time for a massage. Then it was time to get ready for church, then head to church to meet up with my boss from when I worked there and catch each other up on how things have been going the past few months. It was so great to really just unload on a few things and get her opinion, which I highly value. Church was great, oh how I miss this place when I'm so far from here. Worship just isn't the same. Next off to a movie at the dollar theatre! Yay! Okay, well that's all for now. Over and out!
Lo!
So tonight I watched one of my favorite Christmas movies, A Charlie Brown Christmas! I watch it every year, and this year is no exception! However, this year I was packing for my trip home! Once I get home I'm sure I'll listen to the soundtrack of the show at least a few times.
I did end up packing almost everything up for my trip! Which means that I don't have to rush back after my workout tomorrow to get things ready. I really am half way (okay more than half way) tempted to split after class tomorrow and get there Tuesday morning...oh what a plan! I need to not think its a good plan though because I really should stay here and go to class on Tuesday...eh! Okay, well before I talk myself into anything I better go! Over and out!
Lo!
Well today I thought that I would just chill, and maybe get some things done, but nothing major. I wasn't planning on going to the gym to work out, after the pain that I was in from the day before, and my crazy idea to ride a half marathon! That changed though around 4:30 when I was sitting around not really doing much of anything. So I got ready and went to work out. I was only planning on only using the elliptical and giving my knee an additional day of rest. However, I got there and decided that I was going run on the treadmill instead. I ended up running a 5k and then doing some ab and arm work too. I need to work on running further but with my knee giving me pain at this point, I'll take what I can get. The real training wont start until February. I figure as a birthday present to myself, I'll try and run a half marathon then and see how I feel after. Although, that could change when the day comes around! Anyway, I felt GREAT when I got done, and made sure to belt out the songs that I was listening to on the way home. Yeah, I'm sure I was a site on the way home, considering I still had my bandanna on from my work out, bright yellow even! I'm sure I made someone laugh, even if that someone was me! Over and out!
Lo!
The first number, 100, is a very good number! Today was my midterm in my muscloskeletal class, and I passed without even missing a single question! This was most definitely by the grace of God because there is no way I could have passed it without His help, and the many prayers! I didn't even have a migraine when I took the test either, which was a miracle all in itself if you ask me!
The second number, 13.1, miles that I rode today on a bike during my workout. It took me about 64 minutes in all, and my legs are already in a bit of pain from it all! I figured though that because my knee is giving me a bit of pain, I'll bike for a little bit and ease up on the impact for a couple days. Plus I thought, I might as well be able to bike a half marathon if I plan on running on in a little over six months!
The third ("thid" to a very special friend! Haha! Nothin' but love!) number, 5, days until I am home! This I might be the most exciting number of the day! Granted I have lots to get done in the next few days, I'm still so craptastically excited, I don't mind! Craptastically is one of my favorite words...well okay, craptastic is, but it goes right along with it! I think you should use it today...it can be the word of the day! Oh fun times! While we're at it, the number of the day will be 5, so try and use them both today! Maybe even at the same time! Oh that could be fun! Okay, now that I've lost you, and myself for that matter, I'll go now. Over and out!
Lo!
UGH!!! OUCH!!! Yeah, that's pretty much how I feel right now. (Yes, I know the picture is a little weird, but that really is about how I feel right now.) I've had a headache all day, and it unfortunately turned into a migraine about 4 hours ago. I have to study a bunch of muscles that we've gone over the past two days in class, so we'll see how much I get done. I'm thinking sleep might actually be a better option though. My mid term is this Friday, both written and practical. Alright, well off to study, or sleep, not sure which one yet. Over and out.
Lo
Class today...oh where to begin! Lecture went well, and I have lots of muscles to study and know by my mid term this Friday. After lecture we were supposed to have two hours of body work, as well as give our presentations. However, our instructor was still sick, so we had a different instructor cover the last two hours of class. This meant studying mostly, doing some body work if we wanted to practice, and talking. I was making sure to study some, and then I was watching a couple girls as they were giving massages, because this was only their first couple times they've given a massage. I stood by helping out, and giving a few tips, and one of the girls says to me, "You should teach!" "Thanks, but no." I've given it some thought before, but not about massage, about art, but even that it was only a passing thought.
Anyway, so after helping with massages, I went back to my table to study some more. This might have not been the best idea, because this is when all the drama started! The girls were talking about a relationship (or lack there of) and everything that went along with all of that. So I was sitting there, and only said one thing after a statement had been made about a date. One of the girls said that it wasn't a date. At this point I couldn't keep quiet any longer, so I asked the girl, "Was this a prearranged appointment just the two of you?" "Yes." "Well, then it was a date!" This sparked some major debate. After I made that statement one of the girls said to me, "Yeah, this coming from the girl who hasn't dated in over 5 years!?" Oh, I had to let that one fly because I wasn't about to really start a debate. Eh!
After class I went to Anytime Fitness to sign up for a membership, and work out after all the paper work was finished. My goodness, I killed my arms! I ended up running 3 miles, doing some ab and back work outs, and then doing a lot of work on my arms and legs. As you can imagine, my legs and arms especially are dead! Tomorrow is really going to be painful, I'm sure! I feel great though. It was really wonderful to get back to working out. I haven't worked out in about two weeks, and know that I can't let that happen again. So now I don't have a reason. The weather outside won't keep me from working out anymore! Over and out!
Lo!
So my mom called me last night on her way to church and told me that my one cousin was going to meet her there. I couldn't believe it! I was very excited, as was my mom. My cousin's mom is very much against hearing about our church, and anything to do really with my mom's faith when they talk. Granted my cousin is 26 and can make her own mind up, but I know that parents have a way of getting to their child even if they don't think they do. Anyway, so I talked with my mom for a little bit longer and she had said that she really thought she was coming because she hadn't called yet. So fast forward to later that same evening. I was talking to a friend of mine who was at the same service as my mom and had said that she met my cousin! I was so excited! This really is a great thing! I hope that when I am home that I can go to church with her, maybe even with her boyfriend too! Wow that would really be amazing! So, if you could say some prayers for my cousin, I'd really appreciate it. This is the first step of many to come, and I can't wait to see what happens.
On a different note, my sister and I have been talking a lot lately, which isn't normal at all. It's actually been really great though. She traveled back to SB for her birthday, and while she was there she looked for apartments. She will be moving back the first week of January, and already has a job when she gets there! We've been talking a lot about massage and what I should be looking ahead to, and what things will help me, etc. It's really been great to talk to her about all of this, being that she's been doing it for over 3 years. We've talked just about every day this past week, and it didn't end in one, or both, of us being angry with the other person. Things are actually starting to move in the right direction! Also a really great thing, and I know this is yet again, the first step of many to come, and I can't wait to see what happens. Again, please say some prayers for her, I'd really appreciate it! Over and out!
Lo!
This is awesome...Dave Barnes made a video, for Christmas...if you have a couple minutes watch it and don't forget to...Enjoy! Over and out!
Lo!
I got some pictures from Thanksgiving, so I thought I'd put them up here, because well I think they're funny! Enjoy! Over and out!
Lo!
Okay so I'm going to warn you first before you start reading further...I was very mad this morning and am going to post about it, however you may laugh at it, so take it for what it's worth.
So I think, maybe I didn't turn it far enough, and try again. Still nothing! I go to pop my hood, and it wouldn't open! I pull harder on the handle to pop the hood, and it breaks! Yes that's right! The handle didn't break, but the cable broke! At this point I thrust my fist to the roof of my car...not happy! So I call a couple of my classmates to see if they are already at school, or if they could pick me up. Well no luck, so I figure I better bundle up, and walk to class. Now remember it's frigid out, so I put on some major layers! Think of the scene in A Christmas Story and you'll be close!
I had on a longsleeve, my scrub top, a sweatshirt hoodie, my North Face fleece jacket, my ski skull cap, another hat, gloves, & my back pack. I was something all right! So I lock up my place and figure I'm in for a long walk with it this cold, but really it's only about a half mile walk. I figure I'll at least try and start my car one more time before walking...and this time...it starts! Needless to say, I was not the most chipper person when I got in to class, but that didn't last long as I was laughing about this whole situation. So once I am home for break I'm going to fix my cable to the hood, and a few other things as well...like get new tires. This is yet another slight problem with the car...my front tires are slowly leaking air, so I have to check them regularly, and put air in occasionally. Lots to keep my busy! Okay, well hopefully you got a good laugh out of this! Over and out!(No, those two words don't actually go together.)
Yesterday was spent babysitting, literally all day. I got to the house around 8:15, and left around 6:15...YIKES! I ended up putting the girls in time out a couple of times because they were fitting with each other...yeah, I'm not a push over! They took 3 hour naps, which was a nice change of pace for a little bit. I watched Elf when they were sleeping. Oh how I love that movie! All and all babysitting was pretty uneventful which was very nice considering a few of the times before! Yikes!
After babysitting I went and hung out with Melissa the rest of the evening. It was great to hang out with someone who actually has an intelligent thought, or actually pronounces! (Yes, I am referring to the kids I babysat for most of the day.) I ended up laughing so hard, and that was only when we were running errands! "180 degree turn just to go that way!?"
After I got home I didn't do much other than get ready for bed. Well, I went to bed around 12:30, and fell asleep pretty quick which is unusual. I rarely remember my dreams, so this really freaked me out. I woke up in the middle of the night (okay around 6am) because I was literally balling my eyes out. I was having a crazy nightmare, and was crying in my dream, and when I woke up tears were streaming down my face. I couldn't believe it. Then I had to try and separate my nightmare from reality, which wouldn't normally be hard but I was still halfway asleep. Needless to say, I didn't sleep well after that. Seriously, crazy! Over and out!
Lo!
So today being that I once again did not have class because they were cancelled due to the weather, I thought I would hang out at Panera and read for a while. I sat there reading for a while, and even though I had read this book many times before, it hit me so hard once again.
I have been reading through Blue Like Jazz for a couple weeks now only reading a chapter here and there in between lectures, or before bed. Near the end of the book though, I couldn't get enough. So being that I had the day, I made sure to really take the time to sit and really take it all in.
There are a few chapters that really get straight to my heart. Yes, most of them are near the back, the part I will make sure to sit and not get up until I read through them. I could go through and tell you about all of them, but I'm going to point out only one of them. Love: How to Really Love Yourself. It really is an amazing chapter, that may seem so simple, but for whatever reason it seems like a new concept to me. One of the things that really stuck with me is when Don is talking to a friend of his and he says to her, "'I know that God loves me.' And I did know, I just didn't believe." Oh man how true that is! I know in my head that God loves me, but to believe in my heart, now that is a whole other story. It is as if there is a massive wall from my head to my heart, and that very little can actually get through. No, I take that back, it's not a wall so much as a break in the line; it's still partially connected, but only barely, and only a few things find the small pathway through.
"I have come to understand that strength, inner strength, comes from receiving love as much as it comes from giving it." This is a huge thing! I am the person that is always giving, and doesn't even think twice about how I receive love. I know that it is a struggle for me that I graciously receive love, and something I am constantly working at. One more thing, "God's love will never change us if we don't accept it." If I really want to change how I interact with people and how people see Jesus in me, I need to accept God's love. God is love, so if I am rejecting His love, I am rejecting Him. Wow, there's a thought! I think I'll go marinate with that for a while. Over and out!
Lo!
I just read Melissa's blog, and I want to make sure to pass this on...
Well today classes were cancelled because of weather. Last night we had a bit of an ice storm come through, so other than main roads its still pretty nasty out there. Well, being from the wonderful Michiana area, this is nothing for me, but hey if I don't have to go to class, I'm okay with that too!
I actually got up pretty early to check closings and see if in fact I needed to actually get ready 
for class. I then decided to layer up and trek out to a mail box to drop off a bunch of mail. It's about a half a mile round trip, which isn't too bad, but the windchill was frigid! I got back and got some coffee going, warm socks, my slippers and of course...my sleeping bag!!!
**This is actually not from today, but really if you were to walk in, that's pretty much how I would look!**
See I haven't turned on my heat yet, but let me explain first. I'm in the middle of two apartments, so I'm pretty well insulated, so it's still right around 70 degrees in my apartment. Plus I'm the only one here anyway, and I don't mind it being a little bit on the cooler side...I sleep better that way anyway. Yes, I fully expect that many people think I'm crazy, but really is this new!? I don't think so!
So today I've been studying my musculoskeletal notes, and making note cards. I'll probably get a little bit more studying done, but then I think it's back to writing Christmas cards, and other random fun cards! Then it's Grey's Anatomy time...but this time instead of heading over to Melissa's, I think I'm going to stay in because it looks like we are going to get a load of snow this evening. I don't mind driving in the snow, I love it in fact, but I don't know how everyone else drives around here in it! I hear that back home is going to have a nice dumping of snow in the next day or two...although, I've heard that the next week there are chances for snow every day! Fun times with snow! Stay warm! Over and out!
Lo!
So today I woke up around 5:40 only to realize that I could still get some more sleep in, so I turned back over and fell asleep. I then woke up at 6:15 because I was cold...I had my window open a little bit because it was pretty warm out still when I went to bed, well come around 6:15 I had to crawl under my comforter! I ended up getting to school as the temperature was steadily dropping. When I left school it had dropped at least 15 degrees...yikes! By around 2pm sleet was everywhere. There is a severe ice storm warning for the area, and schools are already closing. We'll see if I still have to go to school tomorrow...I can't figure out why I wouldn't have to, but I guess they deal with things a little different around here when it snows/sleets/etc. So all of y'all back home let me tell you...right now at 9:15/8:15 central its 27 degrees here, and feels like 15...back home....its 56, and it feels like its 56 out! So have some fun with that! Yikes! I'm good with it all this though...it makes things fun, although I'm sure most of my classmates wouldn't agree with me! Time to go and get cozy warm! Over and out!
| You Are Marge Simpson |
 You're a devoted family member who loves unconditionally. Sometimes, though, you dream about living a wild secret life! You will be remembered for: your good cooking and evading the police Your life philosophy: "You should listen to your heart, and not the voices in your head." |
So on the road trip back to KC, Melissa and I ended up talking as usual, and it really was such a great thing. We talked about so much stuff, from our trip to things back in KC with each of us. At one point I was talking about how it seemed weird that I was on my way back to KC, and back to school, etc. Melissa had made a very interesting point, she had said that it seems weird because KC is normal now. It was so great to go home and really reconnect and refocus, especially to be able to go back to church and hear some amazing words, that really hit home. It's been two days of class since break, and I feel like I'm back in the swing of things.
I ended up thinking about a lot of stuff going on in my life right now. I feel like a lot of my heart is still back home. I know that in order to really grow out here, and learn some valuable lessons I need to have my heart with me. I know that I'm out here for a reason, and that I'll learn so much out here, not only in school, but in life.
I've felt as though life is rushing by me. That I was moving so slow and that I was only able to see blurs as things moved by. Then all of a sudden it came to a screeching halt, and I was finally able to get some perspective, but only long enough to see some faces, and then it started back up again. Although, maybe its not that I am moving so slow, but that the transmission of the pictures aren't translating into something that I can understand.
I know that there are questions in my life right now that I'm trying to figure out, and trying to get a better understanding of answers that I already have. I know that a lot of this goes back to the quote that I posted about a week ago, "Don't plan so much, as prepare to wait." I keep thinking about that, and am letting that be my motto for now. Over and out!
Lo!
So I thought I would post and recap the past couple days, so here goes!
Friday Melissa and I left her parents house right around 0700 and thankfully didn't hit much traffic. We got to the Bend right around 1430 SB time, which was right on with what I was thinking. My parents were happy to see us, as was Scruffy! The house looks really great now! I mean, you can actually see it from the street...the mounds of dirt are finally down! I then went over to a friends house to hang out and catch up for a little bit. Such great times! Too short, but I'll take what I can get! Then it was over to another friends house for dinner! Yum! Dinner was great, and the conversation was wonderful. Next it was time to head home to meet up with more friends and reconnect some more. We made a trip to the new Martin's, which you really had to be in the car to understand just how much fun we had! Back to my house, played a few rounds of Boxers or Briefs, which if you haven't played this game I suggest it, fun times! We then kicked the boys out and had girls night with a couple friends. Stayed up late like we usually do when we get together.
Saturday my family was coming over for Thanksgiving dinner so it was crazy at my house. I went over to a friends house to spend a little bit more time with her before the weekend was up, then back to my house to get ready for dinner. There was family everywhere! Dinner was great as expected, and the company was crazy as expected! Haha! I've told Melissa before that my family is weird, but she got a whole new taste of what I meant...My grandpa brings a keyboard in from his car and plugs it in and he starts playing and my grandma starts singing...not just anything though, polka type music. Yikes, that's when I leave the room and don't look back! Melissa kept telling me to make a request, knowing that I would not be able to leave for at least a half hour! Oh, my family! I love them, even though they are a tad on the crazy side...makes life interesting! After dinner it was time for church, so did some hair and yes even some make up touch ups! Crazy I know! Church was AMAZING! Dr. Bob opened up his heart and really let it all out for us to learn from. The songs were really great too. It was so wonderful to be able to go back and worship like that again. After church a bunch of people went back to my house for some food and hanging out. At one point I was laughing so hard I was crying, it was awesome! I didn't watch much of the game, but I think that was a good thing because I was having too much fun, and I didn't want to have anything ruin it.
Sunday was spent packing up and then stopping at a few places to say goodbye to some friends. We were on the road by 1030 KC time, which was ahead of schedule! The drive to St. Louis went really well, not much traffic which I couldn't really believe, I mean Sunday after Thanksgiving! We got to Melissa's parents house around 1630 KC time, had a little dinner, picked up Bentley then it was on the road again a little after 1700. That's when everything got crazy. No traffic really until this point, so we were thinking we'd be back in KC on time. Well, that wasn't the case so much, there was crazy traffic. I was going about 5mph for about a half hour. Then we finally got through that load of traffic and about an hour later maybe another huge load of traffic. Same thing, barely moving again. We ended up getting into KC around 2130, so about an hour, hour and a half longer than it should have taken. It really wouldn't have been all that bad, but I had a terrible migraine throughout most of the day. I ended up getting back to my place around 2215, brought my stuff inside, and shortly after went to bed.
Today was my first day of my 3rd section. I'm going to be doing some serious studying! I'm excited for this section, its just a change of pace from the last section. We'll be doing body work the second half of class, every day. So that will be nice because then I can really get the hang of what I'm doing. Oh, a fun little thing that happened today in class. We were going around the room introducing ourselves and what section this was for us. So as we are going around the room the instructor for our body work looks at me and says, "Aren't you pretty far through your program?" I look at her kind of funny like, what? "No, this is only my third section." "Oh, well I guess I just thought you were further." So then everyone around me who started with me says, "No she's just smart." I was like, "Well I don't know about that, but now you've given me a huge thing to live up to!" Well, that's all for now, but I feel like I might post on here again later on. Over and out!
Lo
So today I actually went for a run before Thanksgiving dinner. I didn't run as far as I was thinking I would go, but at least I got a couple miles in! I really needed to try and clear my head. I was overwhelmed with thoughts and emotions today. I expected some of it, but I guess not the amount. Unfortunately the run didn't clear my head much at all. Dinner was wonderful, and watching three dogs interact with each other was great. I still felt odd though all day. I'm sure part of it was that I wasn't home. It's not even that we would have had Thanksgiving today if I were home because my dad was on duty today. It was just a different experience for me to be away from home for one of my favorite holidays. Don't get me wrong, I can't tell you how wonderful it was that I was invited to have dinner with Melissa and her family. It was just that I had too many emotions driving me today I guess. I was able to talk to a few friends today which was really wonderful because I haven't talked to them in quite some time. All and all today was a good day, it was just a little odd from what I was expecting I guess. I really don't know how to explain any of this. So I guess I'll just stop here before this gets even more confusing than this already is. Over and out.
Lo
Well my final went well from what I could tell. I'll find out in a couple weeks how it really went, but I don't think there is anything to lose any sleep on. Plus, I think I lost enough sleep last night thinking about too many things. My brain just didn't want to turn off last night. I surprisingly feel pretty rested today, which is great because I think I only got about 5 hours of sleep last night. Okay, so there are a couple quotes that I've been thinking about the past 24 hours or so....
Well, I can't sleep, so I figured I would write some and maybe that would help. The only problem is that what is on my mind I don't feel that it should be posted on here. It's between me and God. Which is fine, just a hard thing to do at times. I'm doing my best to give all of what is on my mind and heart to Him, and lay it at His feet, but it's much easier said than done. When I was ready for bed I prayed like I usually do. This time though, I sat there for about a half hour just trying to get my mind clear. Trying to give all of what was on my mind to Him. I'm not really sure exactly where my mind is right now. It's all over the place. I'm so excited to come home and see my family and friends again, but I don't want to get ahead of myself. I still have a day of class, and want to make sure that I make the most of it. I will also be spending a few days in St. Louis before heading all the way home. I am so thankful that I will be Melissa and her family on Thanksgiving, but I want to make sure that I am there in the moment, and that I also give them their room to be a family. I love Thanksgiving, and all of the tradition that it holds, and the family that I'll get to see who I usually don't see. Last count my mom said there will be 35 people at our house for dinner! Wow! That means that I'll get to reconnect with them, and tell everyone how things have been going for me away from home. I'm excited for this up coming week, and pray that I will really be there in all of the moments. I have a lot to be thankful for this year, and a lot to remember as well. I'm hoping that while I'm on this little vacation that I can refocus, and really reconnect with God. I want to take advantage of the time away from the norm, and stretch my mind. Over and out.
Today I went for a run before I did just about anything else once I got up. Literally, I got out of bed, and got ready for a run. I wanted to run before I ate or anything so I could use up any stored glucose rather than what I just ate. Anyway, so I get out there and start my run. Only about a mile, mile and a half in I really am having a hard time breathing. So I figure once I get to about the two mile mark I'll stop there and stretch out a little and see if that helps. Well, no luck, and I actually started to feel worse...I'm not going to go into detail...(Jeanna was lucky enough for me to give her the whole story!). So I turned around and ran back home. I still got four miles in, but was hoping for six, so we'll see how tomorrow goes!
I went and got my hair cut and styled today. It was great! I love the feeling...just sitting there chatting with the hair stylist, having your hair played with for hours. Yeah, it rocks! I ended up getting a few inches off, and had a few layers too. I also went back to my natural color with only a few very natural high lights. I'm so happy with it! I ended up getting to late to go on my run for today, so I'll have to do that tomorrow, but no biggie.
Well, that's all for now, nothing too exciting as you can tell! Maybe I'll go dress up and take more pictures! Ha, okay let's not get too crazy! Over and out!
Lo!
I have a lot on my mind right now, and feel like I need to write about it. However, I don't know that I should really let it out yet. Maybe I need to let it simmer for a little while. I'm feel like I'm all over the place. In all of this I am doing my best to pray about it all, and seek out the wisdom of others who I trust, and value their opinion. I feel over my head. My heart is in a place that I haven't known before, but I don't think that is necessarily a bad thing, I just am not sure of really where that is. There are songs that I've heard a dozen times before, but it seems like I'm really listening to the lyrics for the first time. These lyrics, are the lyrics of my heart right now. I can't really explain it better than this song in my heart. It plays again and again. It makes me smile, and it makes my heart ache. It aches for these lyrics to be true in my life. I know what I want, but I know that I am blinded by my own ambition. I pray that this is what God has for me, but I know that I have to be okay if it is not, and know that God has bigger plans than I can ever fathom. None of this probably even makes any sense, but that's fine, I just needed to get some stuff out, even if it is incredibly vague right now. Over and out!
I could not have asked for a better weekend. Seriously, it was such a wonderful time with some amazing people that I absolutely love, and connect with so well. It was really great being able to show them around KC, and where I've been living for the past couple months. We went down to the plaza for a some shopping, and walking around taking in all the atmosphere. If you ever get a chance to go to KC, be sure to check out the plaza, it's awesome. After walking around for a while, we went to Jackstack! It's pretty much a done deal that if you come in town to visit myself, or Melissa, you'll eat dinner at Jackstack at some point. It was fantastic as always! I ate way too much, as did everyone I think, we could hardly move after we were so full! Ah, but it was good eatin'! After dinner we drove over to my apartment to show them a little bit of where I live, and spend most of my time. Then it was back to Melissa's house to hang out, and meet the new puppy her brother just brought home! Bentley is a sweet little pup, who will probably be around 90 pounds when he's full grown! Anyway, after playing with Bentley for a few hours, we figured it was time for him to go to bed, plus the four of us girls wanted to stay up and talk. We ended up talking until close to 4 am, and I tell you, it was just what I needed.
After my friends left on Sunday to head back to the Bend, I hung out with Melissa and Bentley for a little longer. We ended up taking him to Petco to get him a few toys, and a leash. He was overwhelmed with everything in the store, but he was a good little pup at the store, and in the car. It was really great being able to hang out with Melissa a little bit longer before heading back to my apartment, and reality. So here are some pictures of the weekend!
WAAHOO!!! Why am I so happy you wonder? Well, I did it! I decided that I was going to seriously push myself this time when I went for my run. I wasn't going to settle for only 2.5-3 miles today. So I ran to Kansas, and kept going. I ran close to a 10k, or 6.1 miles, in about 50 minutes. I was very happy with this because I haven' done it in a very long time. The great part was that it wasn't even great conditions. The wind was strong at times, and it about 40 degrees out, but with the windchill it was in the mid 30's. The funny thing was that I felt like this was one of my best runs yet! So I really feel like I crossed a finish line today! I beat down a wall, and ran right over it. I have to continue to do that, but at least that wall is down, and out of my way for now. Tomorrow, I'm planning on running with one of my friends who is visiting from back home. I'm not thinking that we'll go as far though, but that's a good thing, I don't want to kill my body, I want to train it. Ah, I feel GREAT! I do have a few blisters, but those will go away with time, plus I'm used to them anyway. Over and out!
Lo!
"To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift." ~Steve Prefontaine
So my friends were driving through the night last night to come and visit me! They had called a few times to give me updates on where they were, and how they were doing. I told them that I was going to try and get a little bit of sleep, but to call me whenever they needed to. So at 2:19 am I get a phone call from them...listen in:
Me: Hey, where are you?
Friend: Well, we're on 70, but we hit a deer.
Me: WHAT!? Is everyone okay!? Oh my gosh!
Friend: Yes, everyone is okay. The truck, well it can't really move though. The frame is smashed into the front left tire.
Me: Oh my gosh! But everyone is okay though, right?
Friend: Yes, everyone is fine.
Anyway, so everyone was fine, and they called 911, and the cops came to take a report, and take them to a hotel, and get their car towed to a dealership. They spent the night at the hotel, and are now just waiting until the car is ready to go. So now its just a matter of waiting around until they get here. Oh, how difficult that is! Well, I figure I'll get my run in while I wait, so off for now! Over and out!
Lo!
Well, last night my sister called me, which doesn't really happen all that often. We ended up talking for around two hours! It was crazy! We talked about some really great things, and some completely random stuff too. I ended up not getting to bed until really late. When I went to bed though, I had a terrible headache. I didn't really sleep well, but when I woke up I didn't have my headache anymore!
Well I have to go to the store and get my place ready for a few of my friends that are driving in tonight!!! I'm so excited! They'll be here until Sunday morning, and I can't wait! We'll be hitting up Jackstack, like usual, and then the Plaza and Starbucks! Waahoo! Okay, I really better get going! Over and out!
Lo!
Oh my! My day started off crazy! I set my alarm for 0630 so I could get up and run in the morning. When my alarm went off, I decided it was more beneficial for more sleep than running because I couldn't sleep last night. So I re-set my alarm for 0730, and plan to get up then to get ready for class. My alarm goes off, and I turn it off, but don't want to get out of bed just yet, so I figure I'll stay there for another 5 minutes. The next time I looked at my phone (also my alarm clock) it says 0801, not good! I jump out of bed, through my scrubs on, brush my teeth, and run out the door! Luckily, I live only minutes from school, so I still got there early.
So my mom sent me some great recipes, and I got them today! I was so excited! Not only did she send me some of the recipes that I had asked for, but so many more, and even some dark chocolate M&M's too! Yum! So now I need to figure out when I'm making all this great food! Maybe I'll make it this weekend when a few of my friends drive in from Indiana! I'm so excited about having friends come out here, even if it is only for a few days.
Over the past few days, I haven't gone on my usual run. The first couple days, I wasn't feeling well at all, so I opted to get rest, rather than head out on the trail. Today, I really should have gone for a fun, but just didn't feel motivated. So tomorrow, I am not letting myself opt out of my run. I'm even going to try and get up early and run, but we'll see how that goes. I'm not concerned with any serious training yet. I won't really start training for the half until the beginning of next year. For now it will just be running to keep my muscles used to the activity. I'll be sure to keep things posted on here on how things go! Over and out!
Lo!
**Oh, and for those of you who didn't feel like trying to figure out the fun little puzzle from a few days ago...I'll be home for thanksgiving!!! So there you go! Hopefully I get to see so many of you all!!!**
Nothing much to say...oh, by my Colts won!!! They're 8-0, and the only team left that is unbeaten. Although, I would have loved to have the Bears for some company! The game was exciting all the way to the end! I couldn't even tell you how excited I was watching the last two minutes of the game. I even did my happy dance! Well, that's really all. Over and out!
Lo!
Alright, I've got some fantabulous news! It's so amazing that if you saw me right now, you'd say, "You look like a giddy little kid!" You'd be right, I feel like a giddy little kid! So did you scroll down already to see what the craptastic news is!? Shame on you! No worries though...because I'm going to make it more fun than just tell you! I'm going to have you figure it out! So in the rambling below there are letters (these letters are some how different than the others) that you have to pull out to make a sentence...then you'll know my big news!!! Have fun!!!
I love Adidas shoes! Molasses cookies are amazing! Notre Dame beat University of North Carolina today! My great aunt Erna is now 93...and she's spunky! (Yea she rocks! She always signs her name "Ann Terna" haha!) Ducks rock my world...and I have lots of little stuffed animal ducks! Pictures of my friends make me smile! The North Face products are awesome! Snail mail rocks my socks off! Indianapolis and New England square off this weekend...should be a great game! I am very excited that a few of my friends are driving out here soon!!!
_ '_ _ -_ _ -_ _ _ _ -_ _ _-_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _!!!
I'm so excited!!! Waahoo!!! Over and out!
Lo!
So today in class, for whatever reason, which I'm still not sure why, a few of my classmates decided that they were going to figure out the right guy for me. I found this all to be very amusing. I think one of their huge reasons why, was because I told them that I have been single for five years. So they were saying that the guy for me, I would happen to find, when I'm out running. The whole scene where we are running in opposite directions, and he turns back around to run with me. Literally they said this! I was like, I don't know about that! They then said that we would be sitting around on game days watching Notre Dame, and the Colts, drinking Naked juice (if you don't know this amazing juice, go here!). I seriously, couldn't help but laugh! One of the girls works at a bridal shop, so she said that she would help me out when I get married, as far as picking out my dress...which I told her that I already drew up my plan, so I've got it covered. I then told them that I am hoping that my grandma would make it, but that I'd have to make sure to give her an early finish date...I don't want her pulling pins out as I'm walking down the isle. So one of the girls says, you might want to make that about 6 weeks early so if you freak out and eat a lot you have time to let it out some. I looked at her crazy and said..."If I freak out, I run! So if anything she'd have to take it in!" It really was quite hysterical talking about it all though. I mean, hello, I'm not even thinking about any of this stuff! I figure if I'm not out looking for that special someone, they'll happen to cross my path...because I feel like whenever you are searching for something you rarely find it! So there you go! Oh, and if you're wondering about the picture, well I love sea kayaking, and miss it, so I figured I'd put a picture of it up! Over and out!
Lo!
So if you can't figure out the image on the left I'll give you a few hints!
(1) It generally is slower than e-mail.
(2) It's one of my favorite things!
(3) I got some today!!!
SNAIL MAIL!!!
That's right, I got some snail mail! I was so excited! It was from some wonderful people back home that I used to work with! I seriously, can't even explain just how happy I was to see the snail mail...and that it was from some amazing people! It's the little things in life that make me so happy! ::SMILING:: Thanks so much!
**On a different note, I'm feeling so much better than I was yesterday! So, thank you for all of the prayers!**
I had my nutrition & herbology mid term today. The test was incredibly difficult! (When I say that I don't mean that at all actually!) We started our tests around 10:15 and I believe I was finished about 15 minutes after. Which meant our instructor had plenty of time to grade the tests and let us see how we did. Drum roll please...........205/200, so yeah, I think I did okay! It was great though because before the test we were just reviewing for it, so I was asking every one different questions making sure they knew what we had gone over in class. It was funny because one of my classmates would give me this look like, why did you ask that, I don't know the answer! I told her though, that she may hate it now, but she'll appreciate it when she knows it for the test! I'm pretty sure every one did well, which is good! Over and out!
Lo!
So it's plan and simple...I'm feeling under the weather; sick; whatever you would like to call it. I went to class today, feeling fine, but about halfway through class, I felt like I was running a fever. I felt really hot, and generally achy all over. The second half of class today was hands on, so I opted out, and just studied my notes instead. I didn't feel like getting a massage, nor giving one to anyone, and possibly getting someone else sick. Hopefully I'll get over this real soon.
The rest of the day, I've just been resting. I had some chicken noddle soup for lunch, drank some tea, and took a hot shower. I figure one of those is bound to help, right? I sure hope so! I'm still not feeling great, but I'm not letting that keep me down. I have a mid-term tomorrow, so I'm at least going to class for that, but depending on how I feel I might leave once I'm finished. Well I'm going to go lay down again. Over and out.
Lo
So I got a care package in the mail today! It was supposed to get here last week...but there was a slight detour. My mom was sending both my sister and I packages. Which was wonderful...but she sent the packages to the wrong places. So mine ended up in Virginia Beach with my sister, and I got hers! Anyway, so my package got here today, and my sister put something in there too! I was excited to open it up because I knew that my running tights would be in there! My mom made me some molasses cookies too! It was great!
**This pictures is just a general care package picture...you know I wouldn't have that much junk food sent to me!**
On a different note I decided that I need to figure out a new running plan. My knees are bothing me too much to continue running every day. So right now, I'm planning on running every other day and see how my knee does with that. I think I'll start running every day again in Janurary/February, and then possibly run twice a day beginning in March. So we'll see how all of this pans out, but I think it will work out okay. Over and out!
Lo!
Today I got my absentee ballot in the mail. Even though I can't be at the polls on November 7th, I'm making sure that my voice is heard, and I hope that you do the same. Find your polling place, and be sure to place your vote. Be an informed voter, and research your candidates. Make sure your voice heard, vote November 7th!
So today, the Indianapolis Colts defeated the Denver Broncos in a really close game all the way to the end, with a 34-31 victory. It made the Colts the first team to go 7-0 in consecutive seasons since the 1929-31 Green Bay Packers did it three straight times. Hopefully this will carry over to the post season, all the way to the Big Dance!
The Chicago Bears defeated the San Fransisco 49er's in what can only be called a total domination! The Bears took control early, and never looked back, with a 41-10 victory. The Bears are other team still undefeated this season (7-0). 
So Linus is one of my favorite peanut characters...well characters, in general I suppose. See, I identify with him in many ways. The obvious one is the fact that he carries around his security blanket...Now, I don't actually carry it around with me, but yes, I still have my baby blankie, and yes, I sleep with it every night! He also is the one that sees the good in things even when no one else will give them a care. I love that about him! He is the one that takes this little Christmas tree, when everyone else won't even give it a day or time. I hope that I have more of that in me!
So here I am with my blankie. I've had this my entire life, and I don't care what anyone says, I'm keeping it! When I was about 5 or 6, one of my parents friends (she was actually a dispatcher at one of my dad's fire stations) told me she would give me $10 if I would get rid of my blankie! Granted that was a lot of money back then, but still there was no way I was trading any amount of money for my blankie! Anyway, so there really isn't any reason for this post, I just thought that you might get a laugh out of this, or maybe even make you think! So who is your favorite character? Who do you identify with? Over and out!
Lo!
Sleeping in today was great! I haven't done that in a long time! Granted I went to bed much later than usual, but still, it was great. Once I got up, I decided that I would go for my run in the morning, rather than in the afternoon like usual. It's actually better for you anyway, for many reasons, which I won't get into on here (if you want to know, let me know and I'll get you the details!). I left, and forgot to put my watch on, so I really have no clue how fast I was going, but its not that big of a deal. I really don't care to know how fast I'm running right now. I just want to get in the habit of running daily. The run was a little chilly, but it was refreshing.
I've spent the rest of the day watching football (ND beat Navy! 38-14), and then doing some studying. I have my midterm in my nutrition class this Friday, so I figured I should look at my notes at least a little bit. That really didn't take all that long though...
Today has been really low key. I feel like I've just been sitting around all day. I think that's okay though. It's good to have a day like that every now and then. I think I'll finish the last few pages of my book I'm reading right now, In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day, and move on to the next one, Love Beyond Reason. Over and out!
Lo!
