Migraines and molasses...

Yesterday I felt like I was moving at the pace of molasses! I had a migraine and was scheduled to work, so had to take my medications to get through the day. One was to get rid of my migraine, but makes me incredibly nauseous, and the other one is to counteract the nausea, but makes me drowsy. So after taking the medications I felt like I was moving like molasses. I could barely speak without having to try to explain what I had just said, and that is difficult when you have customers to interact with. I got through the evening fine, but still moving pretty slow. I got home and crashed shortly after. I slept for about 10 to 11 hours, and honestly feel like I could go back to sleep right now and sleep through the night. It's a huge option considering I'm almost finished with my laundry that I needed to get done today. I still feel the affects of the medication a little bit and just want to curl up and sleep, and drink a lot of water, but we'll see about it. Other than the migraines, life is treating me very well. Only 16 weeks until I finish MT school, and I get to move back home! Which will be very bitter sweet as I've made some amazing friendships out here. More on that later when I can actually function a little better. Over and out!

Lo!

Crazies!

Oh my the crazy people were out last night! I went to down to the Plaza for dinner and to hang out with Melissa and a couple of her friends. Dinner and coffee was great, conversations even better! Anyway, so after coffee Melissa and I decided to walk around and continue talking because it was such a beautiful evening out. We were walking around and this girl, who I would guess was around 19/20, and turned around and asked Melissa where she got her necklace, then followed up her question with this statement, "I'm not going to steal it or anything!" Melissa and I looked at each other, like, what!? So Melissa kindly said where she got it and we kept walking, thinking that was it. Boy were we wrong! The girl then turns to us and asks us about a book idea for toddlers. Melissa then turns towards a window and tells me to look at this dress. There was a group of people that walked by shortly after, so we made a split for it and walked briskly across the street! We didn't stop talking about it the rest of the evening! Talk about letting the crazies out! Eek! Over and out!

Lo!

High Five!

That's right, you can give me a HUGE high five! Why? you ask! Well, that's because I got a great review from my instructor today! We were odd numbered in class today so another instructor come in so that my instructor could receive a massage from one of the students. I volunteered to give the massage, and after all was said and done I got rave reviews! I was so excited! My instructor's exact words, "I expected you to do well, but you exceeded my expectations!" You can imagine how excited I was to hear that! This was the first time I have ever given a massage to an instructor, but honestly wasn't too freaked out, so that was good! Once I'm in clinic, I'll have to do it twice to pass the class, so this was a good warm up for me. Waa hoo! Over and out!

Lo!

Difficult times...

Today I got a call from a friend of mine, and I wish I could have been there with her. I wasn't really able to talk with her when she called, but met up with her later in the day to figure out what was going on. Life is really kicking her hard right now.

Anyway, I just really feel terrible for her, and so wish that I could do something for her. Here are lyrics from a Jon McLaughlin song, "Just give it time", which I think is absolutely perfect for what is going on right now.

still waters and heavy hearts,
and plans we made all fell apart,
disillusioned and lost in the grace
and how can we fix the heart when it breaks,
you don't know how much more you can take,

just give it time, it's gonna get better,
now is not forever at all,
just give it time and everything changes,
tomorrow comes today will be gone,
and everything is gonna be alrite just give it time, give it time

quiet landslide that nobody knows,
regreted decissions that nobody chose,
under water, sinking fast
and no way out, no way to get back
what might have been is lost in the past

just give it time, it's gonna get better,
now is not forever at all,
just give it time and everything changes,
tomorrow comes today will be gone,
and everything is gonna be alrite
just give it time

(and the web your in?)
and still you give
it all fades out,
you reached the end
your giving in now, now

just give it time, it's gonna get better,
now is not forever at all,
just give it time and everything changes,
tomorrow comes today will be gone,
just give it time, it's gonna get better,
now is not forever at all,
just give it time and everything changes,
tomorrow comes today will be gone,
and everything is gonna be alrite, everything is gonna be alrite
just give it time, yea time

If you think about it please pray for her. Thank you so much! Over and out.

Lo

Personal DNA

Dynamic Leader

I found this on Lindsay's blog and thought I'd take the test and see what results I came up with too! Go to the site and try it out for yourself! Have fun! Over and out!

Lo!

Vacation part 2!

Okay so here is the rest of the re-cap from my vacation!

Thursday July 5th - Jeanna, Lindsey and I went and got manicures, and pedicures! It was awesome! I have had pedicures before, but this was my first manicure! It was strange having my nails painted, even though it was only french tip. Good times, had by all!

Friday July 6th - The big day! My Wine & Cheese party went so well! Everyone who attended said that we need to do it again, and why on earth haven't we done it before!? It was a great time to catch up with old friends, and even start new friendships as well! Everyone looked great, dressed up, laughing and having a great time!

Saturday July 7th - Jeanna and I hung out at Lula's and around Notre Dame just talking, and taking pictures. It was so beautiful out! After a great time outside we had to head in because it was just too warm out for us to enjoy it anymore, which was fine because we had to get ready for church anyway. Church was great as always! Then I went to Wine Down to hang out with some friends and enjoy one of my favorite new spots back home!

Sunday July 8th - I hit the road around 7am KC time, which turned out to be a good time to leave. I really didn't hit any traffic which was great! I got in to the KC area and stopped by to see Melissa and wish her a happy birthday, then it was time to head in to work for a few hours before heading to my place and calling it a day! Long day, but I got to see some familiar faces that I had missed so much while I was back home!

Overall, I had a FANTABULOUS visit back home! I can't believe how fast it went! These next few months will go by faster than I can imagine and I'll be back before you know it! Thank you to everyone who helped make my visit amazing!

Over and out!

Lo!

Vacation so far...

Okay so I wouldn't normally be posting while actually on my vacation, but I'm having to sit here and ice my ankle...more on that later. So here is the run down of my trip home so far....

Friday June 29th - Leave for the Bend around 1:30 AM (SB time). I had to pack up my car in the rain...which didn't help at all! I stopped around 3:30 AM to get a few z's because a few minutes earlier I thought there was a man in the middle of the highway, nope just seeing things! Got about 10 minutes of sleep, and left around 4:30 AM. Arrived home in SB around 11:30, unpacked my car, and met up with some friends for lunch! Later that evening a few of us went to the gym, which was a blast! I was like their personal trainer...so fun! Then much later that evening we went to Wine Down this awesome bistro which I suggest you try if you're in the area. About 41 hours later from when I woke up Thursday morning, I finally went to bed!

Saturday June 30th - Really didn't do too much other than church. It was so great to be back there! Man I miss that place, okay more so the people, but I strangely miss the building too!

Sunday July 1st - Another day of just relaxing which I seriously needed! Later in the evening I went to a Silver Hawks game, which they won, and watched fire works! It was awesome! I even had a hot dog with mustard, ketchup, jalapenos, and nacho cheese, and a beer to wash it down! I was in heaven!

Monday July 2nd - Still just hanging around the house enjoying my sweet Scruffy! She is a sweet, but very strange dog! I love her just the same though!

Tuesday July 3rd - My daddy's birthday! Family dinner...and some amazing rhubarb pie! YUM! Later that evening I hung out with some friends from my high school days! I hadn't seen them yet so it was good to catch up a little bit.

Wednesday July 4th - What a beautiful day it turned out to be! I went to a party that my friend was hosting and the day was awesome! We were at a house on the river and went tubing, knee boarding, and out on the wave runner too! My arms are still a little tired from tubing and the wave runner but it was awesome! My ankle got a little banged up when my foot was in a pile of rope in the boat and the tube that was tied up became untied and started to leave the boat! My ankle stopped the rope from letting it go further but now I have a swollen ankle, and some rope burn to go along with it! Now you my be thinking, why not let the tube just go out!? Well, there was someone knee boarding and if the tube had gone much further out it would have hit him and who knows what injuries would have occurred then!

Okay well there's an update for now...more to come next time (pictures too!)! Over and out!

Lo!

Traveling & Tributes...

So I'll be hitting the road in just over 24 hours to head back home! I'm so excited! Now my friend, and boss, is not excited at all that I'm leaving late at night to drive ten hours, but this way I'll be there for most of Friday as well. Plus I love driving at night! I know, I'm odd, but who didn't know this already? Maybe I'll stop and get some breakfast on the road...mmm IHOP! Hopefully that will come around 5 in the morning or so...somewhere about half way anyway. Once I get home I'll be sleeping....well okay first I'm going to meet up with some of the most amazing people in the world! So yeah, I probably won't get to bed until late Friday night, but it's so worth it! This time I don't have a lot planned which will be great because then I can just hang out with my friends and really enjoy my time there.

On a different note, I'm sitting here relaxing and trying to figure out what all I need to take, and how I'm going to fit a few things. Well there is a special on tv, it's a Paul Simon tribute, which most people my age would turn the channel, or just plain turn it off. Not me, I'm sitting here enjoying all the songs, and knowing all the songs that they're singing. Heck, I'm practically singing right along with them! Get this, James Taylor came on to sing a Paul Simon song...really not sure if it could get any better than that! Amazing! So you might think I'm like 54 or something they way that I'm talking about this music and such...eh not quite...just take off about 30 years! Ha! Yes, I'm such an old soul! I've actually been told this by a few people before. I love it though! JT & Paul Simon...can't go wrong there! Over and out!

Lo!

Half marathon re-cap!

So it's been 3 weeks now since I ran my half marathon, and I feel like I really haven't written about it yet, well other than the basic things. Anyway, so I've been thinking a lot about it and really processing the whole thing. It still boggles my mind that I ran a half marathon. Not only that I ran it but finished it in a decent time as well. I really want to run more of them, not just to compete or beat a better time, but because it gives me a goal to push towards. Not only that, but when I am running, and really focused on my training I am spiritually on track as well. These things seem to go hand in hand with me. I unfortunately haven't run really since the race. The first couple weeks my legs just couldn't take it, but this past week I was too busy and exhausted from work. I seriously need to get back to running, and get back to where I need to be in a lot of areas of my life. Eating healthy has gone out the window it seems like, although I'm sure I'm still eating better than the average American!

Anyway, so back to the race. It was one of most difficult, amazing things I have ever done! I've literally climbed mountains before, kayaked in ocean inlets, but this was something on a completely different level. I was flooded with emotions the entire day, but especially during the race. I'm sure a lot of it had to do with the adrenaline pumping through me for the first mile, and then the last 200 yards, but even in the middle of the race it was an experience that was like nothing I have ever known before. I don't know if it was because it was my first half, or if I'll experience that again, but it was amazing!

Runners are a special breed that's for sure! If you're a runner, you know what I mean! If you know a runner, you probably know what I mean as well. We, runners, will strike up a conversation in the middle of a race about random things and it doesn't matter where you are in life, or what you drive, or anything. It's just a common bond that we share. As I was running I ended up talking with more than a dozen people throughout the 2 hours that I ran that day. We don't care that we might look like crap by the time we finish, or that it may cost our feet some serious pain, or that we might not be able to walk too well after a big race. We just love to run. It's what we do, it's in our blood. Someone said to me while I was training, and injured at this point, that I should stop running. I looked at them like they were crazy and then said to them, "Running is like breathing for me; if I don't do it often enough I die." They might not have understood what I meant, but it really does keep me going, which is why this race didn't seem to drain my energy so much as give me energy. It was such an amazing event for me and I can't wait to run my next one!

Over and out!

Lo!

Work, but so much fun!

I've been working a LOT lately, but it's been worth it! We just finished our remodel and open tomorrow. It really looks like a brand new store! New colors, new fixtures, new carpet, etc. The new layout is amazing, and I think it will really help with the flow of customers. Plus the entire week that we've been working away, we've been able to listen to our own music! It really makes a HUGE difference!

One of my favorite things with the remodel is that we now have an additional 4 feet of Fresh Ink cards! They're my absolute favorite card line and I can't wait to look through them all and pick out my new favorites!

Today we were doing a lot of clean up work and finishing touches to give the store the right look. This meant taking a lot of trash out, and even at one point a hole group of us went out to move a large item into the dumpster. Well after deciding that the best way to get it in there was to open up the side and some how flip it in, we pushed and picked up as best we could. After realizing that we were going to have to hold it up while closing the door on the dumpster, I climbed up on top and did my best to hold on to it so the door could be closed and locked again. Then we cleaned up around the dumpster and then it was back up on the dumpster to smash boxes down so that nothing would stick out over the top. Seriously, I was having a BLAST jumping around on it! So yeah I've been working a lot, but it hasn't really felt all like work because our team is so great and always make it so much fun! For now, it's time for some serious rest! Over and out!

Lo!

Odd, but good!

Today was an odd day, and that would be putting it lightly! I didn't get home until 1am from working...which I had such a blast moving fixtures around and such! I really do mean that I'm not being sarcastic here, I know that's crazy in itself, but you'll get over it! Anyway, once I got home I wasn't really all that tired because I think I got a second, or maybe by that time a third wind, so I did some laundry! I finally went to bed around 3, or shortly after, to get a few hours sleep before waking back up at 7 to go to class. Thankfully class is actually interesting so it wasn't too bad!

After class I went to work to help my friend/co-worker/boss move some fixtures to her house. That was funny just because the guys helping to put them in her van were...well interesting to say the least! Fun times, fun times! Next it was off to a friend/co-workers house to go running! We started running and no more than 2 minutes and there was a HUGE down pour! These rain drops were enormous! No joke they were the size of nickles...it was really odd! It finally slowed down and then eventually stopped, but we were still able to get in a good 3-3.5 miles. I wasn't really thinking about going much further, I was pretty exhausted, and my legs aren't used to running again yet.

After the run we decided to go to Logan's Roadhouse, which they just opened about a month ago here! Which was very exciting, but get this...in Independence you can't throw the peanut shells on the floor! Hello, that's kind of the draw of going there, well that and the amazing food, but its just fun to throw them on the floor! I was distraught! The food was well worth it though, plus after dinner we went and got some amazing ice cream! Plus while I was there Melissa dropped in to say hello and return my seasons of Friends that she had borrowed for the weekend. My day was amazing plain and simple! Over and out!

Lo!

Visual DNA

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

I had a little time while waiting for my laundry to finish up! Enjoy! Over and out!

Lo!

It's been so long...

It's been a long time since I've posted anything, mainly because I've been really busy. I had my mid term this week, and worked a ton as well so blogging was put on the back burner. So here are a few highlights from the past couple weeks!

Class - 3 weeks down...got an A+ on my mid term...3 weeks to go! Then only 3 sections to go and I'm finished! Yikes! I'm so excited about that!

Work - I don't know if I can really even explain how great the people are that I work with, or how much I love my job. I always love going in to work because even if I have a bad day before I get there, I always end up changing my mood the minute I see any of the girls I work with! These girls aren't just friends, they're like family to me; I see them more than anyone else and they really care about how I'm doing and what I'm going through. Anyway, so as you can imagine with father's day just around the corner we've been a little busy! Plus we're about to go through a remodel so we've also been busy preparing for the upcoming week. I'm going to love it because it will be a lot of moving things around, organizing, planning, etc. We are going to have such a blast!

Life in general - Nothing too exciting really which is a good thing I think! I'll be home in less than 2 weeks now which is very awesome, however that means that I'll be driving for a long time! I'll be sure to have some great music with me though so it shouldn't be too bad! Plus I'll be home when I finish driving so it's totally worth it! I'm still recovering from my big run, but am planning to go on a run with one of my co-workers/friends on Monday! I'll try and post a little more regularly, but no promises on that! Over and out!

Lo!

Pictures!

Here are some more pictures from the Sunburst! Over and out!

Lo!

Fun times!

Well a lot happened the week that I was home, but I'm just going to focus on a couple. First off, Redamaks! Oh my how wonderful it was! I forgot how amazing those cheese burgers are! No worries, I demolished it in no time! It was difficult though because we rode all the way home with it in the back of the car, and anyone who knows me, knows that if I'm hungry and there is food around, it will shortly be gone! I was good though, I waited patiently until we made it home!

Me with my very much awaited cheese burger from Redamaks! YUM! I think it was gone in record time!

Second up, the main event! My first half marathon! It was the Sunburst races that start at the College Football Hall of Fame and end on the 50 yard line of the Notre Dame stadium! I ate my pasta the night before and turned in early because I was set to get up at 5:45 in the morning! I thankfully was able to get a good amount of sleep and felt well rested for the race. My morning seemed to be moving in hyper speed running around making sure that I wasn't forgetting anything and that we got there in plenty of time as well. We had two cars full of people heading down for different events and made it down town about 6:50 am. We had a few pictures taken, a prayer for safety and then final preparations. My race was to start at 7:30 so I had plenty time to stretch and get focused.

The gun went off, and shortly after the running began! My first mile was way too fast, but that's just how it goes. My first mile was at about 8:38, which isn't crazy fast, but I was planning on mid 9's, so I needed to back it off a little, which is much easier said than done. Jon and I were having a great time cheering on fellow runners as well as the spectators and police officers keeping the streets clear. We were clapping, and singing songs and making people laugh! We had a great time! Around 4 and a half miles into the run I was really starting to feel some blisters forming so I had to stop at a water stop to put some bandages on my feet to try and keep them from getting any worse. Unfortunately that didn't really seem to avert the problem! At mile 11 I was completely exhausted and didn't feel like I had anything in me left to give, but God, through Jon, wouldn't let me give up! It was awesome to get such great encouragement when you really feel like your body is about to turn into mush! We kept chugging along and eventually made it to where I could see the stadium, and then I really kicked it in. I felt like I was back in high school cross country kicking it for the finish. I finished my first half marathon in 02:03:48 which I could not be more pleased with, because I was just hoping to finish in under 02:30. It was a great day, and all who made it out had a great time! Thanks for all of the support!

This is moments before my first half marathon...completely in the zone and focused here!
Everyone after their events! It was a great day, and everyone had an awesome time! It was awesome!
Jonathan, my running buddy, and me after finishing the half marathon! I still can't believe it! 2:03:48...you could say I was happy!

Oh, and I also got my third tattoo about 3 hours after I finished the race! It's awesome...but of course I would think so! So what do you think? (13.1 is the mileage from the race.)

Over and out!

Lo!

Almost home!

What a beautiful sight! When I see this place, I know I'm home. If you haven't grown up near Notre Dame it would be hard to understand just how much this place means to me. If you've had the opportunity to visit it, you might have a better idea. Seriously, nothing compares to seeing the beautiful golden dome, and the Sacred Heart Basilica after being away for such a long time. Especially now because everything will be green.

I have a few plans, which mostly have to do with eating delicious food that I've missed...Redamaks, Hacienda, Lula's, and of course mom's home cookin'! I've made sure not to really plan much because I really just want to hang out with my friends and family. Right now I have 6 days until the big race. Exciting, but scary at the same time. I know that I'm going to have to run through so much pain, but I'm going to give it my all, and I'll finish no matter how tired, or how painful it may be. Plus, then I figure the tattoo won't seem to hurt at all after that! I really can't wait for all of this to being though! I'll be taking pictures like crazy...which I'll post some of those on here when I am back in KC. I'm going to have a blast! Well, I should probably get going...they're about to start loading! Woohoo! One step closer to being home! Over and out!

Lo!

Just around the corner...

So for my final exam I need to know the 12 cranial nerves, and what they each do...luckily I know them! For some crazy reason I actually enjoyed learning about them too! Anyway, so I have my written final Friday morning, then late morning, early afternoon I head to Cleveland Chiropractic College for a tour and some more information. Next it's off to my chiropractor for some adjustments and treatments! Then before work I'm planning on getting in a long run in...about 6 miles! Work for 4 hours then to my place to finish packing for my big, very exciting trip! Yay!!! I can't wait! It's going to be so great! I'll probably post one more time before I head back home because I have some fun stuff happening Saturday too! Over and out!

Lo!

sO rAnDoM!

Today was a very odd day. I went to class but left half way through to hang out with one of my classmates instead of being bombarded with pessimistic ideas from our one instructor. I figured that it would be more beneficial to enjoy our late morning/early afternoon and study if we felt the need.

A little later one of my co-workers/friends came over to go running! It was so great! I haven't gone running outside in a long time, and haven't run with some one in even longer, so it was very exciting! On our way back to my apartment we saw a snake! No worries it didn't harm us, it was just moving along to another area. I thought it was pretty awesome that we saw it, but I'm sure most people wouldn't like it, and are probably not too excited to read about it right now. Sorry...but you'll be okay (Jeanna!)! We ended up running about 2.5 miles which was a nice little jaunt.

Then being that we had plenty time for we were going to dinner I gave her a massage, which she enjoyed, but it was also a little extra practice before my final on Wednesday. By the time we were served our dinner we were so hungry that we stopped talking and stuffed ourselves! Yum!

It's been a pretty relaxing evening which has been so great! Only 5 more days until I'm home, and yes, I'm mostly packed and ready to leave just about! Big surprise I know! What can I say, I'm excited! Waahoo!!!! Over and out!

Lo!

Counting down...

8 days until I fly home...for a week!!!

9 days until Redamaks!!! Oh man my mouth is watering just thinking about it!

13 days until my big race!!! Wow that's crazy! Training thankfully has been going really well! I'm planning on running 5 miles tomorrow and see how that goes.

13 days until the new tattoo! Still have to figure out where I'm getting it, but I'm so excited!

Over and out!

Lo!

A-OK!

Well I went to my chiropractor to have adjustments and treatments for my injuries like I have been for...well months it seems...and everything seems to be going really well. I even got the "A-OK" to run as far as I feel!

18 days until the big race! I'm so excited, but incredibly nervous at the same time. Well my brain is shot right now...okay, well actually my brain is overloaded with a bunch of stuff and I can't really process anything else right now. Over and out.

Lo