A Saturday of Growth

Wow, what a Saturday. I'm really happy about how everything turned out, and I feel genuinely relaxed right now. My leg is propped up on some pillows, and I'm lounging on the couch listening to some of my favorite mellow music.

Saturday morning I woke up with an expectation of how everything was going to work for the block party...and then I got a couple calls from KJN and BKJN. It was raining--we needed to figure out a plan for dealing with it. Of course, plan B for the block party in the case of rain has always been to move things inside OGA, so I already knew that was going to be fine. However, this year we had a lot of BIG things, and I wasn't sure how everything was going to work.

During my initial conversation with BKJN, the stress overwhelmed me a little, and I had to hang up with him so I could cry. I was already flustered by trying to bathe and get dressed while hobbling around on my crutches; already had the normal anxiety that comes with the responsibility of running an event; already wondering how my breaks were going to go, and the rain just had to come along and add that final straw. Like I said in my letter to next year's candidates, I'm a 30 year old woman who cries when under stress. I'm not ashamed. Once I cry, I feel better, my head is clearer, and I can move on with the task at hand.

Moving the event inside was a good decision, and the event progressed very well. There were so many helpful people--I'm trying to make a list of all the people so I don't forget to thank someone. The exhibitions were amazing! The raffles and dunk tank were more successful than previous fundraising attempts at the 2009 and 2010 block parties, and we still have sponsorship dollars left over! Both Aim High and OGA will share the funds to make gymnastics and martial arts available to kids with special needs and at-risk youth.

I am so proud of all of the DTD testers for board and brick breaking awesomeness! I surprised myself a little with the front kick...not sure if everyone could tell, but I wasn't quite sure how to position myself for that break...I felt so off-balance. I loved that so many people were watching us!

The night ended with an amazing time at the Amy Roloff charity dinner. It was great to finish a successful event and then get "dressed up" and spend the evening with great friends and some very interesting people supporting a wonderful cause.

I feel great about everything that happened yesterday. I know that if I can get through a day like yesterday and allow myself to trust others to get things done when I can't, then I have truly grown as a professional, and as a person. I owe much of this to my training as a black belt at a place like Aim High.

Now, I'd like to say that I am so glad the block party is over! :o)