A few thoughts...

So I'm in my last few weeks here at school in KC. I can't believe how fast it's gone by. It seems like I just started, and yet it's been 14 months since I moved here! WOW! I don't really have much to do in class anymore now that I've passed my tests, and am in clinic. I have clients to attend to, and SOAP notes to take care of, but nothing too crazy. Work is dwindling down as well which is really so sad. Not many people can actually say that they love their place of work or that they will miss it when they leave, but I can! Actually, I've been able to say that a couple times now! Anyway, it will be hard to leave these amazing women that I work with, and share part of my life with on an almost daily basis. It's weird thinking that I only have a hand full of days left at work before I take a break and head home. I'm so excited to go home and see so many of the people that I love and miss so much, but at the same time I really am going to miss seeing these amazing friends that I've made out here. Some of my friends out here have stuck by my side through crappy sections in school, annoying life situations, etc. I feel as if I have two "homes" if you will. Granted I like the landscape and the amenities much better in the Bend, but there is something to be said about the amazing people that have truly captured my heart here. I'll head back out to KC for a week right after Thanksgiving, so I'll at least get to see my friends one more time before I actually move home.

Okay well I just wanted to get some of that out before I start moving everything and get too stressed out to actually write anything. Over and out!

Lo!

Race thoughts...

So here are a few thoughts that were running though my head while running the half marathon today.

• Runners are a special breed no doubt! We as a group will cheer on fellow runners no matter how much pain we're in.
• Some of the runners dressed up in costumes. Many times marathon runners do this to make it seem a little more fun. There were a few witches, women with tutu's, a girl wearing wings that she had attached, etc.
• There was also this guy that carried an American flag the entire race (I think the half marathon). On his shirt it said something about the flag team. So apparently they make appearances all over the nation showing their support. It was really awesome, and seriously moving. To run with an extra 5 pounds at least, is hard enough, but to feel like you are carrying a nation, so amazing.
• It was such a great time pacing a friend and being able to encourage her and make a fool of myself all at the same time. When she would slow down, I would turn around, run backwards, dance some times, sing, etc. I had everyone around laughing right along with me!
• I love the fact that random spectators cheer on everyone! There was even a guy that made a HUGE "high 5" sign. He actually cut our a huge hand that you could smack as you were running by!
• "Your feet only hurt so bad because you've been kicking so much butt!" - on a sign near the end, which made me laugh!
• Getting up at 4:45 isn't the most exciting thing to do, but it actually wasn't as difficult as I had thought!
• When I was running, some where around mile 9 or 10, my left knee really started to bother me. So I told my running buddy to go on ahead of me and that I would catch up after fixing up something for my knee. My plan was to take an extra bandanna that I had with me and tie it tightly just under my knee. As I started to do this, a guy stops just in front of me and tells me to just use his brace instead. I had said that I was fine, but he insisted, so I took the brace, and we said we'd see each other at the finish. Runner's are so generous!
• I'll be running another half for sure! I really love the challenge of the distance, but it isn't so far that you really feel like you're going to hurt yourself too bad. I want to one day work it up to a full marathon, but for now, I'm loving the half!
• After all was said and done with the KC marathon, I decided that the Sunburst is the way to go (other than the extreme heat). Why? Well the swag you get from the Sunburst is amazing...nothing here except honey sticks (yes, you read that correctly)! Well, okay and a gift certificate to Jack Stack, but still, felt a like they could have done a little better with swag.
• The weather was amazing! It was in the low 60's the whole race, which was perfect! The course was really good too. There were plenty of hills to really challenge you if you wanted to push it, but no so many that you felt like you were running a hill work out.

All and all, it went really well, and was so proud of Janette and her 2:27 finish for her first half! Way to go!!! We'll have to run another one together! Over and out!

Lo!

Things on my mind...

There are a few songs on my mind lately...

No One Else Knows - Building 429

My world is closing in
On the inside
But I’m not showing it
When all I am is crying out
I hold it in and fake a smile
Still I’m broken
I’m broken

Only one can understand
And only one can hold the hand
Of the broken
Of the broken
When no one else knows how I feel
Your love for me is proven real
When no one else cares where I’ve been
You run to me with outstretched hands
And You hold me in your arms
Again

I need no explanation of why me
I just need confirmation
Only You could understand the
emptiness inside my head
I am falling
I am falling
I’m falling down upon my knees
To find the one who gives me peace
I am flyingLord I am flying

When no one else knows how I feel
Your love for me is proven real
When no one else cares where I’ve been
You run to me with outstretched hands
And You hold me in Your arms
Again

I have come to you in search of faith
Cause I can’t see beyond this place
Oh You are God and I am man
So I’ll leave it in Your hands

Praise You in This Storm Casting Crowns

I was sure by now
That You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen"
and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God
Who gives and takes away

Chorus:
I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God
Who gives and takes away

Chorus

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

If you have a chance, listen to the songs, they're really great.

Another thing that a good friend of me has me thinking about it a beautiful verse from the Bible.

Philippians 4:8
The Message

"8-9Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies."


Just a few things...Over and out.

Lo

Exhausted...

Today was insane! I got up early and headed to work for the ornament debut. I got there early to make coffee and just relax a little before dealing with the craziness that was sure to take place! The day actually went really well, and rather quick. Mainly because it was so busy and there wasn't much down time. That unfortunately did lead to my lower back bothering me, but that's a minor detail. These are the days that our team steps up and raises the bar to a whole other level. It's also some of the most enjoyable times to work as well. Everyone is having fun, but still focused on what needs to get done. By the time I left all I was thinking was that I soon would be able to take my shoes off and lounge around my apartment. If only it was in the low 60's, that would be even better! Over and out!

Lo!

So excited!

Today there was an open house at Cleveland Chiropractic College for prospective students, as well as their home coming for the alumni. I was able to tour the campus that they are at now, which will be changing at the first of the year. Anyway, it was really great to walk around with current students and ask them questions about why they choose Chiropractic, as well as the 10 versus 12 trimesters. We toured the anatomy lab too, which I always enjoy, I'm weird...I know this already! It was great though, there were different organs out that we could look at; each had one healthy organ, as well as a couple with different pathologies too. They had a lung out that was unreal. It had emphysema and was so black from all the smoking that had taken place in the years that it was still attempting to work. There was also a liver that the previous owner had obviously been drinking pretty heavily with the cirrhosis that had taken place. If I ever had a problem with smoking or drinking, I think that would have done the trick!

At the lunch I met up with a couple of my Chiropractors and caught up with them as well as asked them some questions about their schooling at Cleveland. I have a lot more to figure out, as well as many more questions to ask, but this will tide me over for a little bit!

Lastly was a lecture on financial aid...always fun! Basically it all boils down to making and sticking to a budget, and knowing that you will end up borrowing an enormous amount of money. Still even though I already knew this going into it, the numbers seem so high, and always a bit of a shocker. There really isn't any way around it though, so I just have to keep pressing on! When I left, I was driving home and all I could think about was, I'm so excited! So excited to one day adjust bones and help people live a better, more pain free life. I know this, one, because I have experienced it myself, but also because I know that I have a ton of people pushing me towards this goal. It's all God that I'm still even considering this possibility as a reality. A year ago I would have laughed in your face had you mentioned me becoming a DC; now I would laugh in your face if you had said to stop when I finish MT school! Amazing what a year can do! Over and out!

Lo!

Woo hoo!!! Times two!

I'm so excited and I can't even tell you! I just bought tickets to a Dave Barnes/Matt Wertz concert! It's not until the beginning of November, but I can't wait! It's going to be a blast! It's the "Two Birds One Stone Tour", because it really is just that! It's amazing that I get to two artists in one spot! I'm sure I'll buy a tour shirt, because, well that's just me! I better take out some extra money to cover all the merchandise that I'll want! Although, I should probably be good and set a limit! I've been to this venue before for a Matt Wertz/Jon McLaughlin concert before, and it's great. It's a smaller venue which is awesome because it makes the concert even more enjoyable. The guys really have a great time, joking and even telling stories. They've been known to start singing Bob Marley, Justin Timberlake, Michael Jackson, etc. Woohoo!

Also, I'm finally done with traditional Chinese medicine! I can't even tell you how wonderful it is to be done! Next, I'm on to clinic, which is exciting but also scary at the same time. For one, this means that I'll be dealing with the public everyday. Two, I only have six weeks before I'm done with school! Woohoo!!!...but also, very sad. It's going to be hard leaving so many of my friends here, and my life that I've known for over a year now. At the same time, it will be so wonderful to be back home again. Six more weeks! Over and out!

Lo!

October already!?

Time has flown by and it seems to keep going faster and faster each day. I have four days left of TCM, which I couldn't be more happy about, but it means that I head to clinic in a week! Yikes! I'm excited because this is my last class before I graduate, and before I head home, but at the same times it's kind of frightening. I will be working on real clients, not students or my friends. I'll be taking a test every Wednesday to prepare me for the boards that I'll take at the end of the year, which is good to prepare me, but I'm sure it will get old fast.

The past couple weeks I've been able to meet up with some of my friends to just hang out and talk and enjoy each others company before I head out of here. It's been great to hang out with them, but at the same time I know that my time out here is coming to an end, at least for now. I'm getting ready to close this chapter of my life, and open a whole new one. It will bring great challenges, as well as wonderful joys. I know that I'll learn so much in the next year, both intellectually as well as spiritually. I'll be able to deepen some already amazing friendships, as well as start new ones. It's going to be an amazing time! Time to get ready and fasten my seat belt! Over and out!

Lo!