In Another Life

Have you ever thought about what you would want to be in another life? Yesterday, I had the brilliant idea of heading out to the driving range in 90-degree weather. It was so hot that I actually got sweat in my contacts. Good one, Anna. There was a golf professional that helped me when paying for my range balls. She kindly said, “You’re one of the brave ones to venture out.” I thought about her as I chunked and sliced way too many of my shots. I wanted to blame the heat and humidity. I kept thinking about how the golf pro was probably witnessing all of my bad shots. My mind started to wander – wouldn’t it be cool to be a golf pro? “In my next life,” I thought.

Then I started thinking about other professions that I would like to take on in another life. I have always thought it would be great to be a fitness or nutrition expert. As I have grown older, my love for fitness has surely grown. I enjoy reading about it and trying out new classes. Being a fitness instructor or personal trainer would definitely be my next profession if I decided to go back to school… again. So, don’t freak out (Mom). I’m not planning on heading back for a third degree. I’m fine with just the two for right now.

But, honestly, I am thrilled about being an English teacher. I have been preparing as best as I can. I’ve mentioned before how overwhelming it all is, but more than anything, it’s very exciting. I get to live out the dream that I have worked very hard at. Maybe in another life I would still come out as an English teacher. 

Kids Are So Cool

Yesterday, I was watching the boys play in the pool. It was a hot Iowa day, making it a definite pool day. I'm not going to lie, they were kind of being little stinkers. It's hard to tell if they are playing or picking on each other. Must be yet another 'boy thing' that I will never quite understand.

Earlier in the day, the youngest one helped me make chocolate chip bars. It was pretty cool watching him try and figure out the measurements and beg to lick the beaters. At one point, he started reaching for a spoon to slang a heaping lump of cookie dough. Not on my watch ;-) He was so proud of the results as we took the 'blondies' out of the oven. He asked the others if they liked the bars he made. Of course, they were a big hit.

I then listened to him chat with my mom on the phone about the book he is reading and the birthday party he will be having soon. I was smiling as I heard the excitement in his voice. It was one of those moments when you realize how cool kids really are. The mixture of innocence and surprising bits of random knowledge is fun to witness on a daily basis. Honestly, I'm surprised at how much I learn every day. They are smart little boogers when it comes to animals. It's fun getting to know them individually. I also hope they are learning a little bit from me too :-)

When you are about to throw a head of lettuce at the screaming kid at the grocery store, just remember that kids really are so cool.

Crabby Pants

I don’t know who was the last person to do my laundry (me), but somehow or another, my crabby pants got folded up in the mix.

I guess I should apologize to anyone that has caught the wrath of my sour mood over the past few days, but I’m still actually a little bitter. Maybe I am a terrible person, or perhaps I just feel like being crabby. Either way, it’s not that fun to wear crabby pants. What’s the worst (or possibly the best) part of this? I’m really the only one who can change my mood. I am in control of how I start my day, how my day progresses, and the way I feel as I lay my head down to sleep.

You may be asking, “why the need to slide on those crabby pants over the past few days?” The short answer: my current and future living situations. I am very ready to move on – physically. I am very frustrated with where I am at now. I know I should be grateful; however, the constant lectures and small talk is just too much for my liking. Too make matters worse, I feel undermined as I look for my place in the fall. Wait, was this supposed to be the short answer? Whoops.

At any rate, I’m still plugging along. I’m still doing what I can to make the best of my situations and be as productive as I possibly know how to be. In a few months this will all be history. Until then, I may have to wear my crabby pants – well, at least a few more times. 

What's Your Flava?

After a trip to the zoo today, we stopped at Wendy’s for a late lunch. Sadly enough, this became the highlight pretty quickly. No, it wasn’t the frostys or the fries. This Wendy’s in particular had an amazing pop machine.

We were able to choose from over 100 different types of pops, lemonades, and sport drinks. The crazy part? They all came from one spout. You simply pressed a button and the soda of your choice fell into your cup. I love fountain pop, so this was a total dream for a girl like me. I went ahead with the Cherry Vanilla Diet Dr. Pepper. It, of course, was delicious. Something about that soda tastes like candy to me.

The kids were raving about this machine. They went back twice in order to try different flavors. Various Dr. Peppers and Fanta drinks filled up their cups as their mouths turned shades of red and orange. “We should just stay here all afternoon and try every flavor,” I joked. I wonder if they would have kicked us out for loitering? Maybe next time ;-)

It’s not as if I am already indecisive enough. Now I can’t even ‘soda up’ without considering over 100 types of drinks I could possibly consume. I may have to switch it up next time. If you are thinking of visiting one of these machines, there is something you may want to consider beforehand: What’s your flava?

Sleep Signals

We get very mixed signals about sleep. They tell us how important it is to get a full eight hours in each night. Most people hear this and laugh, because there just never seems to be enough time in the day to complete all of our tasks and have a little fun too. In fact, adolescents are supposed to get nine-ten hours a night. I highly doubt many teenagers put their head on the pillow much before ten or eleven.

This weekend I didn't get the significant amount of sleep. Sometimes you have to sacrifice sleep for fun and productivity. My problem is that I've never learned how to sleep in, so no matter how late I am up, my body wakes up far too early. I'm sure a few nights of early bed times and a couple naps will have me all caught up.

On the flip side of the recommended sleep time, we also hear, "The secret of life is getting up early. The secret of life is staying up late." Let's be honest, all of the fun happens late in the night. I know your parents tell you, "Nothing good happens after midnight." Well, they're wrong. That's when all the good talks happen, the funny dancing, the everlasting stories are developed late at night.

Live.

So, what do we do? Stay up late and sacrifice our beauty rest? Miss out on living a life past midnight? A little bit of both. That's always the answer.

A Good Day

I think it's easy to underestimate a good day. Often we take for granted the small blessings that make up our good days. I spent a lot of yesterday smiling and thinking about how great the day was from start to finish. I want to share with you what made it so great, in hopes that you will remember to recognize the good that occurs each day when we take time to see it.

I have been thoroughly enjoying my workout classes at Kosama. I feel much stronger as the instructors push me to limits that I wouldn't do individually. They are knowledgable and take interest in every person that attends each class. Yesterday was circuit training, and I left sweaty and strong.

I had a good day with the kiddos (I used to hate when people used this term, but it fits them so well... what do you do?). We had a few issues with attitude, but overall, we are starting to get used to one another. I took them to the Des Moines Arts Festival, which was full of activities and neat things to see. I feel youthful around them, which is important. I love how they continue to keep me on my toes :-)

After I got home, I spent a good amount of time chatting with my grandpa. Sometimes he gets to be a little overwhelming, but I know it is important to take time to reconnect, talk, and listen. While in many ways we are worlds apart, I am grateful for the kindness he continues to show me.

Then, the BEST part of my day - dinner and a movie with Beth! We had a chance to catch up at The Cheesecake Factory before we ventured over to the theatre to see "Rock of Ages." Oh. My. Gosh.... it's was amazing! I smiled the entire movie. I laughed, moved my feet to the beat, and enjoyed time with my friend. I really couldn't have picked a better person to share Milk Duds with. Seriously, y'all need to see this movie. I love musicals, 80's music, and now I have an official "girl crush" on Julianne Hough (that's normal, right?). I might have to buy the soundtrack... like, today. I'm not a huge Tom Cruise fan, but he was awesome. And Beth left with a new crush - Diego Boneta. Just go to the movie, you'll understand ;-)

Off to apartment hunt this morning... don't worry, I've already grabbed my morning iced coffee. Happy Saturday peeps!!

Nala says hello :-)

I Go Back

Yesterday I was driving home, and I couldn't stop smiling. Mostly because of the silly things my little dudes did, but also because the music on the radio was so perfect. I had heard the lyrics and melodies of these songs time and time again, but something was different. The words hit me in ways that they hadn't before.

Depending on where we are in our lives, words have different meanings. Something may make us cry one day and laugh the next. Songs may take us back to a moment. When I was running my half marathon, Katherine asked me what song was playing on my iPod as we began to run. "You'll remember it forever." I remember songs that I played on my way to my cousin's funeral. I remember songs played in college as I danced along with my girlfriends. Songs take me back to places I want to revisit, but also to times when life was tough. I love music. I love what it represents to me, as well as what it means to others. We are all able to interpret, dislike, and cherish each song that plays. Music is powerful. 

I started listening to "Every Now and Then" by Garth Brooks. It reminded me of my past, but it also helped me appreciate where I am today. Yes, it's okay to look back. It's okay to think about how things used to be, but it's important to realize what we have today. 

"And I love my life. And I'd never trade between what you and me had and the life I've made. Cause she's here and she's real, but you were too."

The past sits in the past, and it's not worth revisiting. It's not worth sulking over or wondering what might have been. Even though every now and then I go back, I am pleased with my life and the events that brought me here. 

Working Ahead

I have never been a person to leave things to the last minute. I like to plan and organize well in advance. My brain shuts off around 7 p.m., so it really doesn’t work for me to pull all-nighters. I love marking up my planner and my computer is neatly organized into folders, dated and titled in a way that would make perfect sense to anyone.

As you probably already know, next year will be my first year teaching. It is quite daunting as I gather curriculum for my students. I have quite a few prep periods, so it is important that I stay organized and have plenty of material to keep my students interested and engaged. I have been reading and taking notes all summer. Along with this, I have been putting together what I call “skeleton lesson plans.” Eventually I will want to add more details to these lesson plans, but I am already glad that I have been working ahead.

The thing about teaching is that everything is completely unpredictable. It is almost silly to plan too far in advance because you just never know what could happen. I may go to school and find out there is an assembly, fire drill, or early out for all of the members of the track team. Flexibility is a must. My motto for next year: “Over plan and go with the flow.”

Glowing Miles Away

"Girls don't sweat, we glow." Have you ever heard this expression? Well if it's true, then I glisten profusely. When I leave the gym, you can probably see me glowing miles away. 

I am not someone that sweats doing daily chores. Fortunately you won't see me sweating as I pick out fruit at the grocery store, but when I’m working out, you can be sure that I will be a sweaty mess by the end of it.

As I left Kosama this morning, I looked at myself in my rearview mirror. Wowza. My grey tank top was drenched with sweat. My baby blue Nike hat had miraculously changed to a deeper navy due to the amount of "glisten" pouring from my head. During my workout, I noticed sweat sliding off of my legs and arms. Parts of me were sweating that I didn’t even know were possible. Granted, it got up to nearly 90 degrees today, but that doesn’t excuse the fact that it was totally gross.

I read once that the better shape you are in, the more you sweat. I don’t exactly know the science behind this statement, but I buy into it. Apparently it means that you are becoming a "more efficient machine" while working out. 

I will confess that I judge my workouts on the amount of sweat I produce. I feel like if I am hardly glowing at all, then I should probably step up my activity level. Call me crazy, but I enjoy being a sweaty mess. After I workout in the mornings, you can probably see me glowing miles away :-) 

Learning About Boys

So far, this summer has proven to be quite educational. Not only have I already completed five novels, but I am gaining insight into the minds of boys. While I did grow up two years younger than a brother, I am finding out that my perspective on boys is much different at the age of twenty-six. The comments and actions that stem from these little creatures is quite entertaining and disturbing. All in all, I am having a great time learning and sharing stories about boys. 

I've always known that boys were a different breed, but I guess I didn't realize how loud, destructive, and smelly they can be. Don't get me wrong, they are lovable and silly too, but I find myself speechless more often than not. There are the constant 'little boy farts' that seems to sneak in wherever we go. I finally announced that my car was a 'no farting zone,' but that hasn't seemed to make much of a difference. And of course, there are the subtle comments about male reproductive organs. I guess I forgot that testicles can also be refereed to as 'nards.' Seriously, this is my life right now. 

Today I got the pleasure of overhearing a conversation about early signs of puberty. Did you know that you have to wash your face more to avoid pimples? Who knew? There is also the unavoidable topic of girls. I am not sure, but I think someone is going to be calling a girl tonight to see if they want to 'date.' We all know I am using this term loosely because the couple will probably not see each other all summer. 

I often find myself eavesdropping while the boys chat during and in between Playstation and Wii games. It's just so I know if a fight breaks out... I'm not a creep. 

Also, there is the issue of eating... or should I say snarfing. Boys suck down pizza and macaroni in a matter of minutes. I'm not sure if it's because they are hungry or if they just want to continue playing. I actually caught one of the shysters licking his plate the other day. Necessary? I don't think so.

I love how these boys keep me laughing. They keep me on my toes and looking forward to each day. I do realize that I will never understand boys... not when they are eight, nor twenty-eight. As my mom always says, "It's Mars and Venus."

Could this be any more true?

Happy Father's Day!

What a beautiful day to celebrate fathers around the world! Along with so many, I am feeling blessed to have a dad that continues to love and support me each day. 

Last night, my family traveled to a nearby restaurant to grab dinner and share some laughs. Of course, we had to position ourselves so the guys could keep an eye on the U.S. Open... boys and their golf! As dinner rolled on, we began reminiscing about loved ones lost and present. We shared stories about my dad's parents. They were the kind of grandparents that would get on the floor and play, no questions asked. We were such lucky grandkids to have had them in our lives. We cracked jokes about cousins and laughed loudly at the unforgettable quotes that have imprinted our family's life. Once again, we are so lucky to have the relationships that we have built.

A huge shout-out to my pops! While my dad has his strange quirks that make us all question his thinking, he also always has the right words to say. He is a man a few words, but his words are powerful. My dad knows what I need to hear and when I need to hear it. 

Another great thing about my dad is that he's smart. Like if I ever appeared on "Who Wants to be a Millionaire," I would use him as my phone-a-friend. I'm not sure if he really knows the answers to all of my questions, or if I just believe him because he's my dad. Either way, I listen intently. 

My favorite things about my dad: 

1. He loves sports. I am fortunate to have picked up on this from him. I think it's so important to stay active and participate in as much as possible. I learned this from my dad. He was always encouraging us to practice and participate. He modeled this to us throughout the years.

2. His ability to listen. Dad doesn't sugarcoat things. He says what he thinks because he cares. Some people may look at this as being negative, but really he is being realistic. I am more of an idealist, and I need someone to bring me down to 'real life.' My dad does this by listening and sharing his life experiences. 

3. He helps me realize it will all be okay. Just his presence leaves me feeling more relaxed and comfortable. I feel safe when I'm with my dad.

4. He can't sing. It's obnoxious, but I love it.

5. He drinks way too much soda. It's so funny. Mello Yellow and Mt. Dew are staples in his diet, which is funny because he is fit - I'm not sure I would admit that to his face... it may go to his head ;-).

All in all, I love my dad. I am happy to be spending this weekend with him and my family. Off to the golf course!! 

Blessed :-)

Family Friday Nights

In honor of my father (and in desperate need of some relaxation), I decided to spend this weekend at home. I was packed and ready to hit the road after I finished nannying for the week. It's funny how Fridays make people act a little different. The anticipation for the weekend is felt wherever you go on Friday afternoons. I love it. I ended up talking to my mom on the phone for the majority of my ride home, so you can just about imagine how excited I was to escape for the weekend.

I was greeted by my brother's dog, Nala. She was a little suspicious of the scents of other dogs (from my nannying family) on my running skirt. It was funny to watch her sniff around. Dogs have such a wonderful way of making you feel loved.

My brother, mom, and I went to my dad's softball game. We chatted over hot dogs and fruit cups. As the rain started to make it's way to the field, we decided to call it a night. Plus, Mike had to get home to watch the U.S. Open.

We nestled into our spots in the basement to "watch golf." I listened while my mom asked questions about golf, and my brother patiently answered most of them. It didn't take long for my dad to come home and start playing with Nala. Then, she became the center of attention. Dogs also have a way of feeling like they should always be the entertainment... goofballs.

I was feeling restless, so I mentioned playing games on the Wii. Of course, I couldn't figure out the silly controls and what buttons to push - maybe they were out of batteries? At any rate, somehow we started watching my brother's senior video from 2002. I found myself laughing and smiling as Mike's old classmates popped up on the screen. It made me wish that I stayed in better touch with my classmates. High school in a small town is hard to explain to those that haven't experienced it. There is an understanding like none other. It's like you forever have the back of your classmates. I think it's so cool. It was fun to talk about what those people are doing now. So much time has gone by, and people are constantly changing.

After the conclusion of the video, my sister had gotten home from work. We sat on the kitchen counters  and talked about recent trip to her freshmen orientation. It is so exciting to hear about classes and thoughts about next year. You can tell she is growing up, and it's just so amazing.

I had a great time with my family last night. I passed out on the couch as we tried to watch Despicable Me. I'm ready for a weekend of downtime and golf :-)

Shopping Strategy

I have a problem with impulse buying. I realized it long ago when I was standing in line at Target and suddenly thought I needed the latest issue of "People," the newest flavor of Trident gum, and a 250 count of cotton balls. An extra fifteen dollars later, I was on my way back to the car.

"What just happened?" I thought aloud. I mean, I guess you can never have too many cotton balls, and I love doing the crossword puzzles in "People," but I'm not really sure any of that was necessary.

My friend talked me into getting a pedicure at the mall yesterday. Well, it didn't take more than asking once to get my butt in that massage chair. I hadn't really planned on buying anything besides the pedicure; however, we stopped at Sephora where I realized I "needed" new makeup.

After the pink polish was nicely painted onto my toenails, the lady asked, "Design?" I responded without a beat, "Sure." And there it was, some wild floral design on my big toe. Welp, I guess it's summer, so why not?

As Emily and I parted ways, I headed through Barnes and Noble towards my car. Big mistake. Two books later, I finally started my car and drove away from the mall. I can always justify buying books, but my spending yesterday was completely unplanned.

I have got to find a better shopping strategy; otherwise, I soon will be looking for a second job.

Why Are You Here?

Do you ever have those moments where you truly believe you are exactly where you need to be? I’m sure I’ve talked about this before, but I have been getting that feeling often lately. I go about my day knowing that I am making the right decisions. No, I don’t have it all figured out. Oh how I wish I did, but I know that it isn’t always that easy.

I opened up my Bible the other day and a slip of paper fell out.

“God put people in your life for different reasons. Some to learn from, some to help you, and some to help you realize how strong you are.”

I began to smile because I remember writing this down. I remember exactly why I wrote this down and how much sense it made to me at the time. I realized that this will forever fit into my life. People come in and out of our lives when God believes we need them.

I started thinking about the people in my life, the people that have gradually became a memory, and those people that are yet to enter my life. They are all a part of me for different reasons. I found myself searching for reasons as to why each person has been in my life. Why are you here? And what about you?

It didn’t take long for me to realize I was overanalyzing the entire thought. I will never know for sure, but I know it helps me come to terms with rough situations and broken relationships. I know that each person has made me who I am. I have been blessed with a thirst for learning, desire to overcome, and strength to move on. 

Scents of Summer

The boys and I walked in the house after hitting some golf balls out on the driving range. I was feeling energized from the sun and the giant Diet Dr. Pepper that I had been sipping on. Smiling ear to ear, I realized it finally really felt like summer.

Then we got the comment, "You guys smell like outside." Um, thank you? What exactly does that smell like? Dirty boys? Great. 

I began thinking about the scents of summer. There is the fresh cut grass and early morning dew. It reminds me of my dad coming in from an early morning round at the Country Club. There was always a mist of perspiration on his tanned arms as he reported his daily score. We could tell within seconds if his round consisted of birdies or boogies. 

Of course, there is the pool smell. Chlorine mixed with sugary smells coming from the concession stand let us know that it's time to bust out our crawl strokes. Sunblock and baby oil placed are around the pool deck as lifeguards blow their whistles at the little rascals playing tag and throwing one another in the deep end. The little feet of kids dangle from the picnic benches as they munch on Charleston Chews and Sno Cones. Their burnt bodies will hop on their bikes to rush home when the pool closes. 

One of my favorite summer scents exists on the softball field. There is something about the mixture of dirt and sweat that screams hot summer nights. While I didn't play softball in high school, I was always a part of the culture. My brother was in love with catching behind the plate, and my dad has been a life-long coach and umpire. I was always there to sing along to "Put Me in Coach" while I chomped on my Laffy-Taffy. 

Then, of course, there is the country fair smell. Growing up in a small town, I was all too familiar with Sasparillas and homemade ice cream. We would be sure to get a funnel cake as we stood in lines for the ferris wheel and skeet ball. The entire week we would stay until the gates closed. We went home with filthy feet and sweaty brows. It was all a part of the experience, and I wouldn't change a thing.

Between boating and ice cold beverages, the scents of summer are enough to make anyone smile. They represent a carefree freedom that can be found nowhere else. I am ready to stop and soak in all of the memories this summer has to offer :-)

Regrets

The other day someone asked me if I had any regrets in my life. I could tell something had happened in this person's life and was looking for some affirmation. I wasn't really expecting the question, so I hesitated a bit. I respected this person's needing to talk, so I played along with the conversation.

I couldn't stop thinking about the conversation and the thought of regrets. I have been asked these 'million dollar' questions time and time again. Where do you see yourself in five years? What has been your greatest obstacle? What is your greatest fault? We learn how to 'correctly' answer these complex questions by way of job interviews and college professors. However, we forget that with questions such as these there are no right answers. Would you rather tell someone what they want to hear, or be honest? I choose honesty, and it has always worked.

After contemplating my past, how it has shaped me as a person, and where I am now, I know I cannot change any of it. I cannot undo decisions and the paths that I was led down. So, I choose not to mull over them. I don't want to live in the past. I deserve to look forward and live for today.

As you can tell, I am dancing around the questions: Do you have any regrets in your life? My answer: Yes. A big, fat YES! Of course I would change things. There are a few big things in particular that I still kick myself for - I still wonder what might have been. There are millions of situations and conversations that haunt me.

With that being said, I am not an unhappy person. I have accepted by past. It has molded me into the person I am today. I am stronger, smarter, and more confident because of my past "regrets."

I Scream

I don’t drink milk, but I want to assure you all that I am getting plenty of calcium. No, I don’t take vitamins, and I’m not looking for any lectures about supplements and nutrition. I have oodles of vitamins – gummies and horse pills – in my medicine cabinet. I just never got in a good routine of taking them. I digress; that’s not my point.

I am getting loads of calcium lately… by way of ice cream. For a long time, I thought I had a problem because ice cream continually left my stomach in pain. That is no longer the case. I am back in business with scoops of ice cream. Yippee!

Maybe it’s the smells of summer. It just makes us all want to grab a cone and sit poolside as we savor each lick of the cool goodness.

Not too long ago I was golfing with my brother and his friends. We kept hearing a weird jingle coming from one of the nearby neighborhoods. After a while, we couldn’t take it anymore. It was so distracting! “What was it?” you ask. A jolly ice cream truck making it’s way around all of the streets. How did that stupid truck know to start up the music right during my backswing?

I hate when people ask you to choose your favorite flavor. I love the classic vanilla, and of course, any food involving chocolate is my friend. I am in love with soft serve, but you won’t find me passing up a couple of dips from an old-fashioned ice cream scoop. Of course, I love all the toppings. I’m not opposed to throwing on some gummy bears or even a dollop of hot fudge. No, I pretty much like it all. If I had to choose my least favorite, it would be any flavor that stems from coffee or espresso. But, I’d probably still eat it. I have a problem.

I will definitely be spending a lot of time eating ice cream this summer… and even into the fall and winter. If this doesn’t happen, I will scream for ice cream. 

Adult Time

TGIF! Once the clock hits 5 o’clock, adults around the country will be running out of office buildings, loosening up their ties, making their way to happy hour. They will all promise not to talk about work; however, discussions will soon move into budget issues and the latest run-in with the wicked boss. Soon the cocktails will be flowing, and the phrase “I love you, man” will become way too common. Waitresses will love this. They will entertain the idea of white-collar men throwing around money to impress colleagues. It’s all a part of the game we call business.

I may not directly be a part of this world; however, I am all too familiar with the scene. I will admit that I love it – I even miss it from time to time. I may have only played the role of the waitress, but it was still fun to interact with these “big shots.” Men are such fools.

I am really learning the beauty of that Friday afternoon drive home. It’s hard not to be all smiles as you plan out the weekend ahead. What will I be looking forward to most this weekend? Adult time. Nannying as so many perks, but one thing I am lacking is the interaction with adults. Yes, I’m missing the occasional dirty joke and random swear words. My kids are great, and I am really learning to use my filter. I really couldn’t ask for a better set-up this summer. I am very grateful. And with that said, I wouldn’t mind some Bacardi in my belly. Bottoms up! 

FOMO

Do you suffer from FOMO? It's a know fact that we all do in one way or another. As humans, we all want to be loved and accepted. So don't fret if you have come down with symptoms common to other sufferers.

Just chill out. You don't need to be checking for reddish colored bumps on your arms. I'm not asking your to see a doctor. I'm talking about Fear Of Missing Out - otherwise known as FOMO.

We are so connected to one another. We are constantly checking phones, emails, and social networking accounts. There is a constant fear that we may miss a party invite or the birth of a high school friends second baby. Would it really be the end of the world if we didn't find out that our third cousin got a promotion for the seventh time this year? Why are we so obsessed with checking in? Do you really feel better finding out information before your colleague sitting in a nearby cubical?

The problem with FOMO syndrome is that it is unavoidable. We are never going to be able to know everything; we will always be missing out on something. So, how do we cope with FOMO? My best answer is to live for you. There is always going to be someone experiencing great things, and it's okay to have a little bit of envy. However, it is important to be proud of our accomplishments. We all should know that there isn't one great life. We cannot possibly have the best life. We are all capable of living our own best life.

You've Got a Friend

Have you ever realized that you know too much information? Just a short week ago, I found myself hearing something from one friend that mildly could effect another. I absolutely hate have too much information (TMI) floating around in my head. Seriously, why must y'all tell me secrets?!?

People love talking about themselves. And whether we like it or not, drama is at the center of our lives. People make mistakes; we are fragile. When drama stirs itself up, we cannot help but participate in the discussions.

Girls are masters at these discussions. We meet for coffee, grab a drink after work, chat on the phone until the battery dies. Face it ladies, we. love. drama. Of course no one likes to get hurt, but it is a part of life. Just as quickly as these events occur, they are soon forgotten when a better story comes along. We are constantly striving to find a more shocking story that will top the next. Our world is a crazy one.

The beginning stages of relationships are full of getting to know one another - trying to figure out if that person is someone to trust. It doesn't take long to realize which way the relationship will go. I was delighted to hear from someone recently, "You are definitely going to be someone I can talk to." I was honored to know that that person trusts me. I know that this person is merely looking for someone to talk to - someone to listen.

At the end of the day, I want to be the person that

Sweatshirt Circulation

One day you wake up and realize that you have started collections of random things unknowingly. What am I talking about? Well, I never set out to have a collection of nail polish that exceeds seventy different shades. It was not my intention to acquire stacks of books ranging from young adult to self-help to American classics. Yes, sometimes these things just happen.

The other day I recognized another collection – sweatshirts. The girl I nanny for asked me the other day, “Do you just really like UNI or do you just have a lot of Panther sweatshirts?” My answer of course was “yes” to both. I started thinking about how many sweatshirts I own… and just possess. Because let’s get real, not all of the sweatshirts in my closet were my purchases. Sweatshirts are one piece of clothing that just seems to circulate more than others.

When I was student teaching, it was important for me to know all of the names of my students. I knew I didn’t want to be that teacher that made kids wear name tags or put up those silly name cards; however, it got to be a little bit difficult in the beginning. As many of you know, teenagers get hooded sweatshirts and t-shirts for every sport or activity they participate in. It’s actually quite ridiculous. They also tend to put their names on the back – maybe this is to help all of the moms keep them separate J You may think this would be a good help for teachers like me that are trying to learn all of the names of students, but you’re wrong. I found that more often than not they were wearing their friends’ and boyfriends’ sweatshirts before their own. Apparently it’s cool to switch them up? Ugh, just one more thing to add to the confusion of teenagers.

I sit here wearing a sweatshirt that I grabbed from my sister. And come to think of it, it could be her ex-boyfriend’s? It’s all a part of the sweatshirt circulation.

Choices

I swear I am not a crazy person that overanalyzes every little detail of my life. Does my mind wander to places of worry and regret? Of course; however, I try to deter myself from these places before it becomes unproductive.

Isn’t it strange how we find ourselves having an epiphany in the most insignificant times and places? I was driving along the other day, deep thinking, when I realized that I need to make a change – I need to make a choice. No, I’m not talking about a life altering decision that will lead me to a foreign country with complete strangers. I’m talking about remembering who I am as a person. We are all guilty of losing sight of who we are – what is good for us. There are times when we get lost a new relationship, our to-do lists, and even the excitement of the ‘night life.’ Quite simply, we lose our balance in life.

I am revisiting a previous choice that I have made before. For some reason I have a sense of clarity as of late, and I love it. I am ready to recommit to taking each day as it comes. And each day I am going to make a choice – I will choose what makes me happy. Happiness is the one choice to pick.

Smiles Across the Finish

Well, I did it! Yesterday I completed my first 20K in style as I smiled my way across the finish line. It was such an awesome experience, that I’m so glad to have shared with 8,000 of my fellow runners.

The day started out very early - 4:15 in the morning to be exact. I had to meet some friends before getting on a bus that took us to the starting point. Katherine told me it was her favorite part – watching so many different people climb into buses to share this experience. In the darkness of the early morning, I was full of anticipation; however, I still was unable to process just what I was getting myself into.

We had to “hurry up to wait” before our 7:00 start time. It was a time to share running stories and bump into friends I haven’t seen in a while. Of course, everyone was sure to make a stop at the port-a-potties :-) My friends had ran Dam to Dam before, so they were filling me in on all of the details of the course. I asked for advice for during the race. This is what I got:

Take it mile by mile. It’s better to focus on each mile as they come. It can get quite overwhelming if you count down or think about how many miles are left. I just wanted to attack mile 1, mile 2, and so on.

Savor the experience. I am learning that more and more it is important to stop and look around in all aspects of life. There is so much happening to be thankful for, to be learning, to be soaking in. Watching all of the supporters on the side of the road, the bands pumping out music, the crazy costumes of people handing out water – it was all so amazing. I literally found myself smiling quite often. It was also cool to read the signs of family members along side the road. My favorite was just the simple “We’re proud of you!” People are incredible.

Run your own run. It's easy to get caught up in the speed of those around you. Runners will pass, and it's tempting to sprint forward. As the saying goes, "It's a (half) marathon, not a sprint." I just focused on my own pace, my own feet. 

Lastly, what I have learned from the experience: don’t be afraid to be proud of yourself. At the finish line, I was full of emotions. I had so much fun – smiling ear to ear as music and cheering from hundreds of people encouraged you to push yourself to the end. I signed up months ago, spent time working on my long runs, and I did it! I feel great about my accomplishment. I am so proud of each runner that participated yesterday. I am grateful to everyone that had a hand in the day – it was so cool.

Yesterday afternoon was spent celebrating on some outdoor patios downtown. While this was a lot of fun, I had a headache and my body was very sore, so I called it an early night. After ten hours of sleep, I am still feeling a little shaky. It is a good feeling; however, I am definitely going to be spending today recovering before another week.

All in all, I am one happy runner this morning! Off to church to give thanks!