Life

Things have certainly had their ups and downs lately.

I'm focusing more on the ups, as I know downs are things we all have to go through just to reach back to the ups.

Let's see - training for Eagleman has been intense. Except I don't think I'm doing all that I could possibly do to get ready. I'm terrified that the Columbia Tri is only like 8 weeks away.

Swimming with Patti's group has really started to take effect. I definitely notice I'm stronger and slowly getting faster.

I've added another kitty to my household. I hope I didn't have to claim her on the Census. She's all white with amber eyes. A very pretty girl. She and Oliver seem to get along just great. They are really cute. Oliver is now 8 months old and Bella is 1. I suppose he likes his women older =) Only issue so far - she sheds ALL over the place. White hair will be the death of me. Oh, and I forgot to mention, she happens to be hearing impaired... a.k.a. deaf as a doornail.

Work is going well. We have just hit spring break and I couldn't be happier. I'm going to use the week to refocus myself on training for Eagleman. The hours to put in are intense. I'm also going to use it to begin fixing up the garden out front, although I have no idea what I'm doing.

I've applied to go back to school for Principal certification. I am mildly excited about it. I think I'll be even more excited once I work out funding. I have yet to find the money to go.

I'm also going to attend an orientation to volunteer with the Baltimore chapter of Back On My Feet. As part of being a volunteer, you have to attend at least 1 morning run weekly for 4-6 weeks at 5:30am. Not only do I think it's a neat program, but it'll help drag me out of bed at least one day a week to run BEFORE work... and I used to like that.

I've been seriously battling with my weight lately too. I'm hoping its the fact that I'm spending 2 hours a day, 5 days a week training. I've had the appetite of a horse and I'm sure it's because I'm not getting the right foods. I keep consulting my Atheletes nutrition book, but probably not enough. Getting out more with the girls on the weekends also isn't helping. My growing ability to crush Miller Lites continues to amaze me and often, those around me.

Oh, and how could I forget to mention! My sister is having a baby! She is due July 31 and I will be an awesome Aunt to another little girl. I haven't posted on Facebook because I know my sister doesn't exacty want it to be broadcast in that way. But, I forgot I could post it here because most of my FB friends don't even read this.

Off to shower and spend the evening with my goddaughter Carolyn and her sister Katie...!

Donations

Once again, I've taken on the challenge of raising funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I'm doing the Aflac IronGirl again, this time as a mentor. I'm excited to help people train for this. All the while, I'm getting in time training for Eagleman in June.

I sent out the second round of donation emails today. I sent out the first about 2 weeks ago. We got a major head start this year. The event isn't until August. Being a mentor, I got a fundraising discount. However, I pledged to raise another $2000. If I was able to meet my goal, that would make my total funds raised $10,000 since 2008. I'm pretty happy with that.

Today, like I said, I sent out my second round of emails. I have received one check in the mail for $300. I should add that this year, people are paying to get their name on my body. Today I received two more donations, one for $50 and one for ....... $1000.

My mouth went dry. I stepped back and mumbled - that must be a mistake... so I emailed the donor and - It was NO mistake.

Here is his response:

"No mistake. We need to support people like you that work hard to help others. I am so busy I find it hard to commit my time to these important efforts. The least I can do is help those that can with generous donations. Thanks for all that you do. I am pulling for you and your mentees this year. Keep me posted."

Wow.

Genetics

Aren't genetics great?

This morning I endured my first colonoscopy AND endoscopy at the grand old age of 27.

Thanks, genetics! I couldn't have done it without you.

And the results? Prove to be true... turns out I have a few lovely things passed down from my dad, one of them being colitis. Luckily, it appears I have a mild form where his is much worse. Hopefully through proper diet, it doesn't get worse. They biopsied a few things in my stomach and colon, so in two weeks I will know more. This seems to be something that is fairly common these days. I think it's due to the food we eat and how it's treated today, but I guess we will never know the answer.

Sigh...

Newest Addiction

Happy New Year everyone!! I hope that everyone enjoyed the holidays and for most of us, it's back to the grind tomorrow. I can't believe how fast the holidays flew by, especially that time between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

I've spent this last week fully submerged in Yoga! About 5 minutes up the street is a Bikram Yoga. I've attended everyday this week and can honestly say I can notice a major difference. Aches and pains I had are no longer there... my flexibility has greatly increased... and it just feels good to sweat out things for 90 minutes in a 110 degree room!

Along with yoga, I've started rehydrating with a product called ZICO. Anyone ever heard of it? It's pure coconut water. It has the ability to benefit your muscle performance, heart health, stress reduction, mental acuity, kidney cleansing, natural hang-over cure (ding, ding ding...!) good for skin, hair and nail health and claims to have five essential electrolytes that your body needs to keep nerves firing, muscles moving and help manage stress. It also has MORE potassium than a banana to prevent cramping and promote recovery. Amazing! I've tried the natural and mango. Both are great. I just ordered a box for the house. I want to see what it does for running and training. Oh, I forgot to mention 11 ounces only has 60 calories. That's not bad...

Next week I'm headed to Florida... well.. not next week - on Friday!!! This year I'm running Goofy's Race and a Half Marathon. We will arrive Friday morning, pick up everything I need and head to the hotel. Saturday morning I'll run the half marathon and Sunday I'll be running the full marathon. Somewhere in there we'll hopefully meet up with Laura and enjoy the nice warm sun. I can't believe race weekend is practically here! I registered for this a year ago!!! 39.3 miles. CRAZY!

As 2009 comes to a close

What a year!

There have certainly been some major ups and downs this year, but when I look back on them, they have all made me a better person.

I definitely went through a slump with training, but have picked it back up x10! I've started building a training plan for Eagleman 70.3 in June and am getting really excited. I think what excites me the most is being able to dedicate as much time as possible because it's just me. I don't have a significant other to split my time up with, or anyone to report to at my house. It's just me. And for the first time in my life, this is a huge positive. I think I'm going to learn the most about myself in the next 6 months. I can't wait.

We just had a HUGE snow here in Baltimore and I can't even remember the last time this much was dumped on us. Us teachers all have our fingers crossed for a day off tomorrow. It would be great. Being trapped in my house yesterday and today have been the most well needed days off from the real world, it couldn't have come at a better time. I've cooked, cleaned, put in 30 miles a day on my bike in the trainer, shoveled, dug my car out, listened to music and just laid around. Perfect.

Christmas is this week and for all those out there that celebrate - Merry Christmas! For my Jewish friends, Happy Hanukkah.

I believe I'm going to watch Life is Beautiful now.

Photo of the Week

I've decided I'm getting back into Photography. To encourage myself, I'm going to post a "photo of the week" each week. This week, my subject is Oliver. This photo was taken in the dark, with a digital SLR camera. The flash was bounced off the ceiling.

The power of words.

It's amazing how words can affect your entire day.

One of my students has had a life I can't even begin to imagine. He's in a safe space now, but struggles with flashbacks and other behavioral issues. After having a rough bus ride in, the morning continued to be hard. When he finally was consequenced with going to a quiet environment within the building for a few periods, he was not a happy person.

After yelling he didn't do anything wrong, he came within 5 inches of my face and screamed "I hate you!" then pulled his glasses off and crushed them into the carpet. I could feel my heart just sink. It was a personal attack against my soul. I was crushed, but had to maintain a flat affect the entire time and not show it.

I adore this kid. I love him to pieces and try to do what I can daily to help him battle what he emotionally deals with. So do the staff in my classroom. But to replay the scene in my head over and over again, just makes me sad. Another day in the life of Post Traumatic Stress.