The Beginning of the End

1.) EVERYTHING YOU DO WILL ALWAYS LEAVE A MARK.

2.) YOU CAN ALWAYS CORRECT THE MISTAKES YOU MAKE.

3.) WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS WHAT IS INSIDE OF YOU.

4.) IN LIFE, YOU WILL UNDERGO PAINFUL SHARPENINGS, WHICH WILL ONLY MAKE YOU BETTER.

5.) TO BE THE BEST PENCIL, YOU MUST ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE HELD AND GUIDED BY THE HAND THAT HOLDS YOU.

I received an email with these “rules for life” this morning, written by a pencil maker. I liked the simplicity of them and yet, each one is so true. SO I thought I’d share with you all.

It’s been awhile — let’s catch up!

School: I finished my econ class! I had my final exam last Saturday, which I haven’t gotten my grades back from yet, but I think went pretty well. I certainly learned that 100% online courses are NOT for me. I learn best from the conversation and discussion that a classroom setting provides, and luckily the rest of my program will be on campus. My next course starts August 25 and will be with Dr. Protasel, the director of my program that I met with back in May. I’m reallllly excited BUT also loving the time off.

Volunteer Life: I’m slacking! Besides my monthly shift at the Listening Post (tonight!) and my EMS shifts with the Medical Corps, I’ve been slacking. I do know that I would like to do at least one more build with Habitat before the season is over!

Fitness: Oh man — I’ve just been starting to really get back into it (at the gym) — I’m running 3x a week again, and then on the other days I focus on strength training and cross training (yoga, spinning, swimming, etc). While I love my outside time, hiking and kickball, kite flying, etc. To stay toned and really in shape, I need the intensity of my gym. I like being able to know exactly how far, how fast, and how much I’ve worked each muscle. I’d like to try and start working out in the mornings before work — but as you all know, definitely NOT my best time. Still though — maybe even just 2x during the work week would open up my evenings a lot and make things a little less hectic.

Social Life: Well, this is definitely the big one these days. Everyone is starting to leave (boo) — so it seems every day is a birthday party, a going away party, an engagement party, a dinner party, etc. and its SO hard to say no to these things — because, well, everyone is leaving. It’s interesting because we are really getting older (almost) everyone has graduated from school, and this is the final summer they plan on being back. From here on out, we’ll see people for a week here or there (hopefully!), but I think this was our last official summer where it seems like everyone came home. Some of my BEST friends here are leaving — namely Solveig and Max — so its definitely a challenge, but luckily I’ve been meeting new people. If anything, I’ve always got Rach, and I’ll have more time for school, work and working out! The other side of this has been the visitors — Veronica was here, my kids were here, Kyle and Megan are here, the twins are here, etc. etc. everyone is on vacation and wanting to go out and do fun things — and since I’m the one who “lives here”, I’m expected to plan. Its worked out really well, and I’ve had  blast, but I’m realllllly ready for real life again.

Family: Ohhhhh the family. Two nights ago, we had 11 people staying in our house. That pretty much sums it up! Chaos. Lots of people, all ages, running around. The kids all start school in a few weeks though, so we’ll be losing B again. She’s made such progress this summer — independent, curious, kind, courteous, etc. It’s always hard to send her back to her parents and watch her transform back. Hopefully some of the lessons will stick and in some way shape the person she becomes. Its been nice to have Kyle here, we’ve had family dinners at a few different places. Even though I am here, I fill up my time so much that I really don’t see a lot of my family members — the little cousins, my uncles, etc. everyone is just busy! This is one more area where I just cant wait for it to go back to normal — I’m ready for an empty house again. Maybe some housesitting, but mostly, just quiet time.

In other news:

• I’m reading the Harry Potter series at my friend Daniel’s suggestion — and I’m actually really enjoying them. I’m on book 3 — half way there. My goal is to have read all of the books, and had a movie marathon before the new movie comes out in November.
• I signed up for a quick little 5k race for next weekend — I’m excited tho! I haven’t had a race since TTK in June!!!!
• Speaking of which — Tuesday Night Races start again soon — one of the first event I found in AK. Every Tuesday, a different trail around the city, $2, various distances…yes!
• My kickball league has totally taken off — we had a record 25 people show up last week, and everyone loved it! We played as the sunset, and ended up with a double header because everyone was having fun!
• I got my car detailed today — a little bit of a splurge, but I really want to “protect my investment” and the past few weeks my beige seats have taken it prettttty rough. I forgot what it was like to road trip with little ones!
• I’m OBSESSED with Organic Oasis. Its this heavenly (but deathly expensive) cafe here in Anch. Not only do they have a full menu of fresh soups and salads, sandwiches and entrees (most of which are vegetarian and even vegan!) but they made smoothies with several different health mixes (almost like my fav Little Green Monsters!) AND they sell snacks: roasted seeds, milled flours, raw chocolate bars, house ground peanut butter. Basically, I live there.

I love you all — I know I’ve REALLY been slacking on keeping in touch — I’m working on it. Swear.  BUT don’t hesitate to keep me in line!

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