Walk it out!

What an amazing day!

Lots of great things happened but there is one thing I want to mention as of now.  Shoes.  Random random.  I was recalling a conversation I had with a friend of mine - and she told me I had a lot of shoes.  I beg to differ, but I see where she was coming from.  She was not referring to high heeled stilletto or however you spell it type.  She was referencing my shoe for almost every sporting event.  :)  I think we were bowling, and my shoes look like 8th grader Tony Hawk Airwalks.  I have to admit, they paid for themselves.  I'm not the best bowler, but the fact that I have shoes, people think I am.  Negative Space Ghost.  It just means that they were on sale at Academy and I like to bowl for fun and not have to pay for shoe rentals each time I go.  Yeah - my bowling kicks are in my suv as we speak...well, as I type and as you read.

OK, so the last pair of shoes that I acquired are Lake Tri shoes....for FREE!!  :)  Heck yeah!  I'm so thankful!  One of my old roommates, who is 5'11" gave them to me b/c they didn't fit her.  I'm 5' 1/2"...that is 5 foot and half inch and they fit me.  We wear the same size shoe - so odd, but so great!  amazing.  lol - the next decision is to decide to keep the same pedals, or find some sturdier ones that will help with my power transfer on Chase.  hmmmmm..... ok ok, I will get back to that later.   The reason for the tangent and the talk about shoes is this.....

There is a shoe for every occasion.  For every part of your life.  You might just need chanclas (flip flops - racial slur! sorry bud) for a lighter part of your life...and sometimes our lives will require steel toe shoes.  I believe that the basis of our foundation is through our walk.  Where we go and what we experience will recreate or add to our core and strengthen us for the next step.  Spiritually speaking we will never walk alone.  Physically, we might be by ourselves, but when you check your tracks that you have made - you are never solo.  The times when you see evidence of only one set of footprints - your footprints are not your own, but will be deeper b/c you were carried.   I love the thought that I was being carried during my harder days.  I know that I couldn't do it alone.  Walking through a valley is not the easiest, but looking back - I'm glad for 2 things.  Knowing that I wasn't alone and that I just kept walking.  It sucks and yes it is hard, but the best thing to do is keep walking.  Cry it out, laugh, get mad, but whatever it is - just keep walking.  I'm pretty sure that I wore a variety of shoes during that walk.  Mostly runnin shoes, b/c that is a pair that kept me movin'.  But not high heels.  That is way too girlie.  But shoot, you know I can rock them too!  :) 

Whatever the case may be, just keep walking.  You will get to the place you need to be.

Walk it out, 

E.

Change it up

If we didn't roll with change, the changes in our lives....chances are we would get run over. I saw an inspiration poster in my supervisor's office the other day, and it struck me. Actually, it hit me and confirmed something for me.
The pic had a a tidal wave. I can't recall if it had a surfer on it, but let's say it did. If we didn't go with the changes that are around us, we would be caught by the undertow instead on top of the wave.
There is nothing wrong with a fight. Especially when you feel you are right and you believe it with all your heart. But months ago I was fighting a change. And it took sometime and a lot of prayer to just let go, and see what He may have for me. I am on a wave right now. I love water and all they symbolism that comes with it. Seeing that poster staring back at me, I smiled and knew this is where I need to be.
It will be a long trek, but I'm game. God is so present. He is here in the good and most def in the bad. Just keep trusting yourself to trust in Him. His Hands can hold us all.

Holdfast,

E.

Sweet n Sour

So we had 2 softball games tonight.  The weather was humid and a bit rainy.  We were short a player or just a few and totally borrowed a guy from the other team.  We all had some great and amazing plays and hits too.  But in the end we came up short. Rats.  

No there were no rats there that was just me saying it.  Rats.  We all like to win it up, but sometimes we just gotta be on there lower end of the stick and take it like a .....well just take it.  Get a straw and suck it up as my fellow bloggin friend would say. 

Game 2 was rather interesting.  I had a chance to get some energy from some tasty cupcakes that were especially delivered from my friend's gf.  Thank you!  Amazing cupcakes.  Boy do I love me some cupcakes dot com!!! Maybe b/c I'm only five foot nothin (ok AND half an inch) and I feel like a giant when I eat one!  Raaaaarrrrr!!!!  N-E-ways....the cup and the cakes were great and def shared with my teammates.  Needless to say - I have one left.  Maybe I'll save it for tomorrow....if it can last.  The interesting stuff on game 2 was that we were behind and started to catch up.  This team was good, I'm not going to lie, but I just felt we were missing something.  Then we started to click.  Well, I have to say we were holding out own throughout the game.  I was pitchin, and was not consistent AT ALL.  My bad guys.  And gals too.  You know what I mean.  But this was random, I lost my right contact after being frustrated with pitching and found it on my shirt.  Thank you contact lense fairy!!  Yeah, here is me trying to pitch with only one good eye!  That reminds me of someone....who could it be???  A pirate?  No.  Someone else.  Well, I'm only going to say this once, ok, maybe twice, but clearly everyone was ripping that ball.  We started to catch up.  I almost forgot, but I hit a 3 run homer.   !!!!!!  Those exclamations were delayed, b/c I just remembered and it just now hit me.  And also, the left fielder just stopped running after the ball.  Apparently his knee gave out.  I hope he ices it.  He got me out later - guess his knee wasn't all that bad, but still he should ice it.  We were inches in closing the gap and in the near end, we tied the game.  The other team did win by one point though.  But some much happened in that one hour.  Gotta take the good with the bad.  The sweet with the sour.  Can't let the outside stuff wear you down.  

I went into the games hoping that walking into my happy place would allow other stuff to be postpone.  I did shake it off, but it allowed the little things to make it's way in.  I don't know, I have always been good at shaking stuff off and just talking it out.  I may have found my kryptonite.  Everyone has something and until I work it out, it's always gonna bug me.  So I'm gonna fix it.  

So here to a glass half full.  And a here's to the people around me that always find a way to refill my glass.  Dumela.  

E. 

Love/Hate...Just run it!

I just came back from a friend's place and an eventful day.  This consisted of training, working, working out and hanging out with friends in no particular order - well, training was first.  :)  Have you ever just known it was a long day when you start referring to morning events as a couple of days ago?  Well, I completely did this earlier tonight.  

Officially I have been gone from my last job for exactly one week.  I miss my colleagues from admissions, and starting to adjust to life literally on campus with housing.  The greatest thing about this is that I'm on the same campus and surrounded by supportive and good people.  A week of training is now complete and I feel like I'm learning a new language.  Ever been to another country and was slowly picking up what people around you are saying?  Yeah, I feel that way a bit, but in a good way.  I'll get there and I'm sure there will be a sweet t-shirt and or polo at the end to greet me at the finish line.  But really, it's higher ed people, there is not finish line.  There will always be students and I'm real pumped about being a part of it. :) 

Tonight, out of no where I decided to make a run through campus.  UP and Down those library stairs.  Not once or two times, but on each stairway.  So that would be a total of six times.  Feeling a little bit like Rocky I out there.  Minus the morning air and minus the fab statue at the top.  Although we do have a statue on the opposite end of campus and one in the center.  Did you know there are 46 stairs that lead up to top??  Ah yeah!  Feel fly and just truckin along.  I made my way to the opposite end of campus to Old Main.  :)  MY favorite building.  This is where it all started.  The very seed to our campus.  My route continued through our park, all the way to the stadium and to HEB, over the railroad tracks, past the Veteren's Memorial to Cancun Rob's (which was bumpin!!) and up the Edward Gary Hill.  Low and behold there were 2 girls coming down the hill and I cheered them on.  Our town is such a small world of a place b/c I ran into one of my former student workers!  lol  I love it.  Talked for a hot second and made my way back.  An hour run is just what I needed.  The whole time I had some random thoughts.....  Like why did you forget your iPod.  Normally I have it, but tonight I went truly solo.  I thought about the upcoming months.  What should I expect and what will be expected of me.  I thought about people who I care about.  Loves lost.  And what love will be in my future.  I later wondered - will I have the opportunity again.  I don't know, but I do know that I'm an optimist and I always looked my glass as half full.  If it isn't I'll talk about it, but I will find somewhere and somehow to get a refill.  I always do.  But honestly, if its meant to be, it will happen.  I also thought about my family and what a strong foundation they are to me.  My parents have done more than I could ever have asked and I'm just so proud of who they are and their love.  They amaze me.  I also thought why don't I run more often?  It's such a treat to spend that time solo with the pavement and the ground you run on.  It's always there waiting for you anticipating your arrival.  And it's not going anywhere....unless it's San Marcos and the road is getting a makeover!  I get a lot from a jog like that.  I hope others find a way to spend that me time.  It's amazing, I just felt like I conquered out there, and I just ran.  :)    

Actually, I'm glad I left my iPod at home.  It was well worth it.  

Not to mentioned - I got to ride my new bike home from my friend's casa.  Oh, it's a sweet lil' mountain bike.  It's super dark blue with some Sol cerveza and lil' devil stickers on it.  It's a diamond back and really simple bike.  I love that I actually take it around campus and to HEB.  We'll see how much I ride in the future, but wow - I just love it.  I think it's more of a he this time around.  Chase, my road bike is a definite she but is a complete tomboy.  Where does she get it from I wonder?  Anyhow, the mountain bike was basically free thanks to Sprint and Craig's List.  Sprint sent me a cell phone that I wasn't pleased with and when I tried to send it back - they said keep it or give it away.  Umm, so a day later I put it on CL's to barter for a used bike....2 days later, my dad and I are putting on new tires and tubes for my new bike.  New to me kids.  It's so fly it needs a passport!

Big thoughts for today:

Be patient with yourself.  All that you need will come to you when it is the right time.  Just be patient.  :)

Dueces are still wild, 

E!  

Uphill Downhill

So here is a little something that happened during a bike ride late May.  So my dear friend and I sign up for a bike ride.  She and I are all pumped and psyched about it too.  Well, we hadn't been riding consistently but whatev - we were going to tackle the ride like no other.

Ride starts, and we take off.  Granted there are a variety of distances you can do: 80miles, 65, 50, 30, 15 or just watch.  We decided on riding for 50 miles.  Yeah buddy!!  We will rock this!  Look out!  Well the looking out and the rocking last about the first 10 miles.  Those route was ridiculous!!  Not only where there hills, but there were hills upon hills!  And the heat was ridiculous!! It felt like someone brought the sun heck of alot closer than what we were used to.  Could that be possible?  Uh yeah.  

Well, my cycling buddy and I got separated in our drafting packs.  She's got some definite speed and I was trailing behind.  Ummm, I think b/c I'm .....oh what's the word - OOMPA LOOMPA!!  Ok, that's two words...or maybe one b/c it's hyphenated.  Don't judge.    Yeah, anyway, I really need to work out.  And so the course goes up and down, left and right, upside down too.  I probably could have walked next to my bike Chase and made it up the spawn of satan hill alot faster.

Well, I did manage to catch up to my friend at the first rest stop 10 miles into the ride.  Mind you, I was already thinking....no no, I had already made up my mind that I was going to opt for the 30 mile route if I didn't see her at the rest area.  And if I did see her, I would have to persuade her.  My chances of that - well, I did not know.  Found my friend and without speaking a word.... just the look on our faces said it all.  And we just said "30," and smiled in relief.  I have need been so contempt with going the shorter route.  

Even though we managed to persuade each other to take a shorter route to the finish line, did not mean it was easier.  We still had more hills, a flat tire, and some crazy heat to battle on our way.  But  I will say there were some fly bikes and cyclists out there!  Yeah for me!  

Ahh, but aside from the amazing lunch they gave us, Portabello 'shroom burgers :) and the free Sweet Leaf Tea that I would marry I could and the great talks I get to have with my friend...... I got to experience this one of a kind amazing downhill.  

Ever feel like you are about to walk off the face of the world when there is a steep downhill up ahead when you are driving?  Or it may look like a drop you are about to go on while sitting in the front of a rollercoaster.  :)  There was this massive hill that I got to fly down.  I was going so fast that I pumped my back brakes a little just to be safe, but really, what else can you do?  You just have to go with it.   It was amazing!!!  I even yelled like Goofy yelled when he first learned to ski down a slope.  It was awesome!   When the ride was over....when I got down the hill, I rode that momentum as far as I could and pedalled out as much as Chase would let me.  I looked down at my max speed and to surprise it read 41 mph!  I was pretty sure that I read it right as I flew downhill, hence the Goofy yell.  I took my double take and cheered on my friend as we coasted almost the rest of the way to the end of the race.  Uh-mazing!!

When in doubt, pedal out, 

E.

Changing Gears

I'm slowly getting settled into my new place on the WESTSIDE of town.  Slowly I'm figuring out that I have alot of junk ALOT of stuff that maybe I should have deleted from my side years or months ago.  Slowly I'm gaining the strength to donate it and throw away what needed to tossed many moons ago.  :)  I have give goodwill at least 8 big bags/boxes of stuff.  And 2 big bags of clothes to friends.  But dang, it's hard to get rid of the physical things that have so many memories attached to it.  Some memories still hurt and some just made me laugh in the moving process.  As weird as this sounds, I'm pretty damn grateful for both.  In all this, I have most def re-learned the trueness of a friend.  I'm incredibly thankful for each person that has walk along the side of me, in front of me, behind me or just crossed paths with me.  And I'm even thankful for those that just popped in for a second.  I feel slightly changed with each encounter and I tend take a little piece of them with me.  Even those random strangers that are passerbys.  Love me some strangers.  Nothing more fun to wave hi at a sexy stranger in a car and get a huge smile back.  Haaaay!  Happy Fourth!!  I'm still smiling.  I still concur, I have no game.  lol

So I'm moving.  I'm changing gears for a bit.  I'm going back to school.  I'm changing jobs.  All these changes and I'm still standing....or technically sitting at the moment.  I never thought I would see the day.  I have often thought what the day would look like when I leave a place/job I love so much.  How can one walk away from something they love, something so secure and something that you just know so well???  I don't know.  I just had to Dive In and do it.  Snap.  It was not an easy choice to make, but one I knew that needed to be made.  Through this transition I have discovered more about me than I thought.  I like to think that we all find something new about ourselves in times of change.  It's exciting to get to know a different side of yourself.

I know the only way to grow is to change it up.  I'm pumped about that!  It's like a pet fish.  You buy a fish and put it in a fish bowl.  It's only going to grow as big as the fish bowl.  Change the bowl, you change the fish.  Just gotta TRI.  Yeah, I learn plenty from my one triathlon.  It was hard, intense, uphill battle, but something I always wanted to do.  I'm feeling this change.  I know I'm going to tossed a lot of verbage that I'll have no clue what it means.  But I've learned before, so I'll do it again.  

I guess what I'm trying to throw out there is that..... if you want something - go get it.  It's all yours for the taking.  No matter what it is.  I would put it on a silver platter for you if I could.  There is nothing that you can't do.  You want it, eff, go for it.  You have nothing to lose, but all to gain.  

One of my most favorite quotes is from Nelson Mandela and it goes...

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.  Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.  We ask ourselves who I am to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?  Actually who are you NOT to be?"

It's brilliant and perfect.  Step outside the lines and that box. Do it up and do it big.  You are worth it.  

:) E.

Hit it away now

So I'm feeling a bit better.  Work. Softball.  Swam.  Showered.  Snack.  iChat.  Blogg.  Hi.

My whole day dragged a bit.  Of course there were some high parts, but it just took a while to get through.  Although today is Wed and we know what that is....SOFTBALL WEDNESDAY!!  

I play on a softball team.  Well, not only that but I get a chance to play on a team that is comprised of some pretty amazing individuals.  People from all walks of life who's main goal is to help college students and people in general.  It's pretty breathtaking to know that these people all want to help others.  

We play great together.  Even on the back of our shirts it says "Team Player."  That is not our team name, but I think the phrase is a good reminder of who the person is next to you on the field.  If the person playing next to me is a Team Player, I better be one too.  I don't want to let him or her down.  That is how I see it.  We have people in the stands that wear the same team shirt we do, but their shirt says "Cheer Squad."  It's appropriate.  They are more than cheerleaders, they are a pod of people that are keeping it positive for us all.  And this is something else - our team just has a positive attitude about everything.  I think if you ever have a bad day, you can just play softball with these people and be better individual when you started.  Amazing.  

And to top it off - we won our game!!  Not bad :)  Yeah it was good times during the game.  We even had a combination of friends, a few student workers and some staff members.  They are great people :)  Take a walk with and meet them!

My spirits did lift a bit during the game.  Hearing teammates encourage others to do better is just so soothing.  Softball has a way of taking me somewhere far away from any kinds of negativity.  Keep doing what you do best team! And do it BIG!!  We all did great and I'm proud of everyone!

You guys rawk!